Behavior of the renal kallikrein in spontaneously hypertensive rats: Influence of sexual hormones and aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron ion channels.

The renal kallikrein-kinin system (RKKS) has been related to blood pressure control and sodium and water balance. We have previously shown that female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have high urinary kallikrein activity (UKa) and lower blood pressure (BP) than males whereas ovariectomy stimulates UKa and diminishes BP. We also showed that high K intake and prepuberal gonadectomy (Gx) diminish BP with a concomitant increase in UKa and plasma aldosterone levels.