Angiotensinogen Levels in Pathological States Associated with Oedema

It is now generally accepted that hyperaldosteronism is associated with such oedematous states as the nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis of the liver, and congestive heart failure (Wolff et al., 1964); that the renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in the regulation of aldosterone secretion (Genest et al., 1960; Laragh et al., 1960; Carpenter, Davis, and Ayers, 1961; Bartter et al., 1961; BlairWest et al., 1962; Davis, 1962); and that plasma renin activity is increased in oedematous conditions (Yoshinaga et al., 1963; Brown et al., 1964; Veyrat et al., 1964; Fasciolo et al., 1964; Ayers, 1967). On the other hand, little is known about the angiotensinogen levels which influence the plasma renin activity values as determined by available methods (Yoshinaga et al., 1963; Warzynski, Demirjian, and Hoobler, 1964; Boucher et al., 1964; De Vito and Fasciolo, 1965; Pickens et al., 1965). The present communication reports simultaneous determinations of plasma renin and angiotensinogen levels in several pathological conditions associated with oedema and ascites, and discusses the role of the renin-angiotensin system in these conditions. The effect of the increase in blood pressure on the plasma renin concentration was studied in several renal disorders associated with hypertension.