Direct Demonstration of Macula Densa-Mediated Renin Secretion

An in vitro method has been used to examine whether secretion of renin from the juxtaglomerular apparatus is affected by changes in the sodium chloride concentration of the tubular fluid at the macula densa. Single juxtaglomerular apparatuses were microdissected from rabbits and the tubule segment containing the macula densa was perfused, while simultaneously the entire juxtaglomerular apparatus was superfused, and the fluid was collected for renin measurement. In this preparation, in which influences from renal nerves and local hemodynamic effects are eliminated, a decrease in the tubular sodium chloride concentration at the macula densa results in a prompt stimulation of the renin release rate.