1. The reflex control of renin release was studied in subjects with essential hypertension by comparing the effects of a variable-pressure neck chamber and head-up tilting.
2. Increase in carotid sinus transmural pressure (obtained by reducing tissue pressure outside the carotid sinus by 34 ± 3 mmHg) decreased mean arterial pressure by 16 ± 2 mmHg, but did not reduce significantly the renal venous—arterial difference in plasma renin activity. Likewise decrease in carotid sinus transmural pressure (obtained by increasing tissue pressure outside the carotid sinus by 39 ± 2 mmHg) increased mean arterial pressure by 14 ± 3 mmHg, but caused only a very slight increase in the renal venous—arterial difference in plasma renin activity.
3. Passive tilting reduced mean arterial pressure by 9 ± 1 mmHg. In this circumstance the renal venous—arterial difference in plasma renin activity increased significantly and markedly.
4. It is concluded that in essential hypertension the carotid sinus baroreceptors, though active in blood pressure control, do not exert a major influence on renin release. In these patients reflex increase of renin during tilting is apparently mediated through other receptors than those in the carotid sinuses.
