Does Renotropin Have a Role in the Pathogenesis of Hypertension?

The existence of an organ-specific, circulating renal growth factor, renotropin, has been established through various bioassays. However, renotropin may be more than a growth factor. The pathogen-esis of essential hypertension is unknown, although a humoral agent related to renal metabolism is believed to be responsible, at least in part. In parallel with the development of a renotropin assay, we have measured vasomotor and natriuretic serum activities. Our data suggest that renotropin possesses vasomotor and natriuretic properties. Through one or both properties, renotropin may play an important role in essential hypertension. This possibility is strengthened by observations that: a) many methods to produce experimental hy