Hypertension
The kidney is only part of the blood pressure problem
By Journal of Clinical Investigation
Apr 3, 2005, 13:11

Abnormal blood pressure is a widespread problem thought to be triggered by changes in the kidney. More recent studies have shown that vascular function can also affect blood pressure.

In a paper appearing in the April 1 issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Thomas Coffman and colleagues at the Durham VA Medical Center explore the relationship between the kidney and non-kidney tissues in mice with low blood pressure.

The mice lack a receptor (AT1) to a protein called angiotensin, which regulates blood pressure. The authors provide direct evidence that actions of AT1 receptors both inside and outside the kidney each contribute to determining the level of blood pressure.

In an accompanying commentary, Michael Mendelsohn states that the findings have "important implications for the ways we diagnose and treat blood pressure disease in humans."

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