Hormonal Control of BP Flashcards
(32 cards)
which systems regulate BP? (2)
- fast acting neuronal system (moment to moment regulation: without it = postural hypotension)
- hormonal system
(detected with baroreceptors)
where is sensor for the hormonal control of BP?
sensor: juxtaglomerular apparatus of the distal tubule of the kidney
which two systems does the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the distal tubule of the kidney control?
- GFR
- hormonal blood pressure
what are the three cellular components of the juxtaglomerulus apparatus?
- mesangial cells: between afferent and efferent arteriole
- macula densa cells: wall of the distal tubule
- juxtaglomerular cells: around wall of the afferent and efferent arterioles. outside of tubule but can secrete materials than can go into afferent of efferent arterioel



what is role of macula densa cells?
- detect electrolytes: particularly Na+ conc in fluid of distal tubule
what does it mean if macula dense cells detect low Na+ in distal tubule?
what happens (what is released? from where? x2) as a result of this?
- concentration of sodium in the distal tubule is too low = it means that the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is too low
- causes prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from the macula cells be released
- acts on juxtaglomerular cells to release renin in the afferent & efferent arterioles
complete the blanks:
- if Na+ conc too low in the fluid of the …… ….. , is detected by macula densa cells
- this means that the ….. is too low
- this causes the release of …. by the macula dense cells
- consequently, ….. is released from the ….. cells into the afferent and efferent arterioloes
- if Na+ conc too low in the fluid of the distal tubule is detected by macula densa cells
- this means that the GFR is too low
- this causes the release of prostaglandlin E2 (PGE2) by the macula dense cells
- consequently, renin is released from the juxtaglomerular cells into the afferent and efferent arterioloes
explain why low Na conc in distal tubule indicates low GFR?
- in the proximal tubule and loop of Henle sodium is removed from the tubular fluid at a constant rate.
- if the GFR is low, less sodium enters the proximal tubule per minute and so more of this sodium will have been removed by the time the fluid reaches the distal tubule.
- Conversely, if the GFR is high, more sodium enters the proximal tubule per minute and less of this sodium will have been removed from the tubular fluid when it reaches the distal tubule.
So overall: in distal tubule fluid:
low [Na+]= low GFR (low flow rate means more time for Na reabsorption)
High [Na+]=high GFR (high flow rate means less time for Na reabsorption)
if Na conc is too low
explain the mechanism of tubuloglomerular feedback
(how detected / effect?)
When sodium concentration is low in the distal tubule: (in addition to driving renin release) the macula densa cells also activate a local process called tubuloglomerular feedback.
This process acts via local hormones to produce relaxation of the smooth muscle of the afferent arteriole.
This increases the filtration pressure and brings GFR back to normal.
(GFR depends on difference in pressure between afferent arteriole and efferent arteriole; dilation of afferent arteriole will increase in the pressure in it and thus filtration pressure and thus increase GFR)
What are two things that occur as a result of low Na conc in distal tubule?
- Renin released (after prostaglandlin 2 is released)
- Tubuloglomerular feedback
what is the role of angiotension II?
angiotension II: potentn constrictor of smooth muscle of systemic arterioles - raises afterload and blood pressure
explain the mechanism of renin-angiotension-aldosterone system
- low Na + conc in DT causes release of renin from juxtaglomerular cells
- renin enzyme (passes into the venous blood) converts (the globular protein) angiotensinogen secreted by the liver into angiotension I
- angiontension I passes into lungs, further cleaved by angiotension converting enzyme (ACE) into angiotension II
- angiotension II is a potent vasoconstrictor of smooth muscle of systemic arterioles: raises afterload and therefore BP
(increases BP -> increases GFR and Na+ reabsorbtion)
how much of the blood plassma is filtered through the glomerulus and how much goes into the efferent ateritole?
20% goes through to glomerulus and is filtered
80% goes through to efferent arteriole
angiontension II can have different effects depening on where its receptors are - what are they? (4)
i) proximal tubule: Increases Na+ reabsorbtion, which increases blood flow, which increases BP
ii) adrenal cortex: increases aldosterone, which causes increase Na+ & H20 reabsorbtion in distal tubule, increase bloodflow and BP
iii) systemic arterioles: binds to GPCR = artriolar vasoconstriction = increases BP
iv) brain: stimules release of ADH = increase Na reabsorbtion

what are the two subtypes of angiotension II receptors?
- *AT1:**
- *i)** GCPR which increases Ca entry into smooth muscle & constriction to occur
ii) stimualtes noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerve terminlas (can increase BP via SNS too)
iii) found in cells of adrenal cortex: secretes aldosterone - *AT2:**
- subject of current research: has actions in the central nervous system and may be involved in apoptosis (programmed cell death) growth and development of neurones and other tissues.
what is the effect of aldosterone after it has been secreted due to activation of AT1 cells?
- acts on Enac channels (Na channels) in the DCT
- increases Na absorbtion: which increases H20 reabsorbtion
- decreases urinary loss of water and Na
- causes an increase in blood volume and therefore blood pressure
what is liddle syndrome / disease?
- enac channels undergo ubiquitination
- this causes inappropriately elevated sodium reabsorption in the distal nephron
- this makes have too much water retention and hypertension
complete:
atrial natriuretic hormone …. sodium reabsorption. (& … blood volume)?
Aldosterone …. sodium reabsorption (& … blood volume)
atrial natriuretic hormone decreases sodium reabsorption. (& decreases blood volume)
Aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption (& increases blood volume)

Note that Renin affects both the blood pressure control system by the effect of AGII on systemic arterioles and also the blood volume control system by the effect of aldosterone on kidney tubules

what happens to BP (through RAAS system) when an atheroma is formed in afferent arterioles?
afferent arterioles are narrowed due to atheroma formation, or some other factor which reduces blood flow into the kidney.
This will reduce GFR, more sodium will be absorbed
This will lead to a reduced sodium concentration in the distal tubule.
The JGA cells release renin, which is converted into angiotensin, which will raise blood pressure in an effort by the kidney to maintain GFR.
what are the two main types of drugs that interact with angiotension
- ACE inhibitors: (captopril) block angiotensin converting enzyme and thus prevent formation of Angiotensin II.
- Angiotensin receptor antagonists (losartan). Block AT1 receptors
- BUT: Remember, the renin-angiotensin system is a controlled system. The excess renin in a hypertensive individual is being released for a reason. If you give a drug that blocks the actions of angiotensin you may reduce blood pressure but you do not cure the primary problem which may be poor renal perfusion. The kidney may respond to ACE inhibitors by increasing renin output, meaning that you have to keep giving greater and greater doses of the drug to have the same antihypertensive effect.
what does renin do in the brain?
- renin causes the release of ADH from the posterior pituitary gland
- decreases urine outpute and preserves body water and plasma




