Renin in anephric man. Case report with physiologic studies.

Abstract A male patient is described in whom circulating levels of angiotensin II were normal following bilateral nephrectomy. Plasma renin concentration was decreased and renin substrate increased, resulting in normal enzyme activity. Renin and angiotensin levels varied little over the nine months of study and were not significantly altered by posture, angiotensin infusion, or sodium loading or depletion. The possibility exists that secretion of extrarenal renin sets the minimum level of activity achievable in the renin-angiotensin system.