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How do the kidneys and adrenal glands work together through the renin-angiotensin system?
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human endocrine system
The principal glands of the female and male human endocrine systems.
The kidneys and adrenal glands maintain blood pressure and fluid balance through a coordinated feedback loop known as the renin-angiotensin system. This process functions as follows:
- Renin Secretion: When the kidneys detect decreased blood flow or low blood pressure, specialized cells in the juxtaglomerular apparatus secrete the enzyme renin into the bloodstream.12
- Angiotensin Formation: Renin converts the plasma protein angiotensinogen into angiotensin I. An enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) then converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II.132
- Adrenal Response: Angiotensin II travels to the adrenal glands, where it stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete the hormone aldosterone.12
- Restoration of Balance: Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to increase the reabsorption of salt and water into the blood, while promoting the excretion of potassium. Simultaneously, angiotensin II causes the constriction of arterioles to raise blood pressure.132
Together, these actions restore blood volume and pressure to normal levels.12