Question

What is the main function of renin and aldosterone?

Answer 1

A renin test and aldosterone test is done when someone is dealing with high blood pressure especially if the person has low potassium. Renin and aldosterone both are a part of RAAS. Renin is a proteolytic enzyme which gets released in circulation through the kidneys.

Complete answer-
Renin and aldosterone both are a part of RAAS, which is Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System that is of vital importance for the regulation of blood pressure and fluid balance. The first step in this is the release of enzyme renin.
Let us discuss the main functions of renin and aldosterone one by one –
Renin – it’s most important function is the degradation of angiotensinogen. As the blood pressure lowers the renin hormone is secreted by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney that plays an important role in reabsorption of sodium. Renin as it reaches the blood it changes the inactive compound released from the liver i.e. angiotensinogen of plasma into angiotensin II via angiotensin l.
Aldosterone- it is produced by the adrenal glands. It’s main function is to reabsorb sodium from renal tubules which is very vital for the maintenance of blood pressure, water and salt balance in the body. At the time when aldosterone production is too low, it leads to the imbalance in Salt and sodium and so the blood volume and blood pressure automatically decreases.

Note:
Aldosterone is an important mineralocorticoid that is produced in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal gland in response to angiotensin II, potassium ions and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Decrease in potassium inhibits production of aldosterone while the increase in potassium stimulates the production of aldosterone.