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Urinary Renin-Angiotensin Markers in Polycystic Kidney Disease

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Renal Physiology

Published online on

Abstract

In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) activation of the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) may contribute to hypertension and disease progression. Although previous studies focused on circulating RAAS-components, preliminary evidence suggests APDKD may increase urinary RAAS-components. Therefore, our aim was to analyze circulating and urinary RAAS-components in ADPKD. We cross-sectionally compared 60 patients with ADPKD to 57 patients with non-ADPKD chronic kidney disease (CKD). The two groups were matched by gender, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood pressure, and RAAS-inhibitor use. Despite similar plasma levels of angiotensinogen and renin, urinary angiotensinogen and renin excretion were 5- to 6-fold higher in ADPKD (P<0.001). These differences persisted when adjusting for group differences, and were present regardless of RAAS-inhibitor use. In multivariable analyses, ADPKD, albuminuria, and the respective plasma concentrations were independent predictors for urinary angiotensinogen and renin excretion. In ADPKD, both plasma and urinary renin correlated negatively with eGFR. Total kidney volume correlated with plasma renin and albuminuria, but not with urinary renin or angiotensinogen excretions. Albuminuria correlated positively with urinary angiotensinogen and renin excretions in ADPKD and CKD. In three ADPKD patients who underwent nephrectomy, the concentrations of albumin and angiotensinogen were highest in plasma followed by cyst fluid and urine; urinary renin concentrations were higher than cyst fluid. In conclusion, this study shows that, despite similar circulating RAAS-component levels, higher urinary excretions of angiotensinogen and renin are a unique feature of ADPKD. Future studies should address the underlying mechanism and whether this may contribute to hypertension or disease progression in ADPKD.