Biomaterial Database

Renal medulla: an endocrine organ involved in blood pressure regulation. 1977

B H Brouhard, and R J Cunningham

The renal medulla is not often considered an endocrine organ, but recent evidence suggests that this part of the kidney may have important antihypertensive, endocrine functions. The antihypertensive factor(s) of the medulla have been localized to the interstitial cells and characterized as neutral and acidic lipids. The acidic lipids, or protstaglandins, have been the more extensively investigated. Animal and human studies indicate that prostaglandins may influence systemic arterial pressure directly or indirectly by promoting excretion of salt and water. Recent evidence suggests that prostaglandins may be mediators of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, thus influencing blood pressure via this system that plays such a key role in blood pressure control.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007668	Kidney	Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations.	Kidneys
D007679	Kidney Medulla	The internal portion of the kidney, consisting of striated conical masses, the renal pyramids, whose bases are adjacent to the cortex and whose apices form prominent papillae projecting into the lumen of the minor calyces.	Kidney Papilla,Kidney Medullas,Kidney Papillas,Medulla, Kidney,Medullas, Kidney,Papilla, Kidney,Papillas, Kidney
D011453	Prostaglandins	A group of compounds derived from unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, via the cyclooxygenase pathway. They are extremely potent mediators of a diverse group of physiological processes.	Prostaglandin,Prostanoid,Prostanoids
D001794	Blood Pressure	PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS.	Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014666	Vasomotor System	The neural systems which act on VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE to control blood vessel diameter. The major neural control is through the sympathetic nervous system.	System, Vasomotor,Systems, Vasomotor,Vasomotor Systems
D014882	Water-Electrolyte Balance	The balance of fluid in the BODY FLUID COMPARTMENTS; total BODY WATER; BLOOD VOLUME; EXTRACELLULAR SPACE; INTRACELLULAR SPACE, maintained by processes in the body that regulate the intake and excretion of WATER and ELECTROLYTES, particularly SODIUM and POTASSIUM.	Fluid Balance,Electrolyte Balance,Balance, Electrolyte,Balance, Fluid,Balance, Water-Electrolyte,Water Electrolyte Balance