Role of Renin in the Regulation of Angiotensinogen Levels in Plasma

The role of renin in the regulation of its substrate was evaluated after administration of homologous renin. In normal rats, increases in plasma renin were associated with decreases in substrate. In nephrectomized rats, renin delayed but did not prevent the rise in substrate seen in nephrectomized controls, in spite of the high levels of plasma renin. An inverse relationship between renin and substrate levels was found after adrenalectomy and during pregnancy, but not after delivery. It is concluded that substrate consumption by renin plays a minor role in regulating substrate levels.