Special Feature Neural Control of Renal Function: Cardiovascular Implications

The innervation of the kidney serves to influence the function of its component parts, for example, the blood vessels, the nephron (glomerulus, tubule), and the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Alterations in efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity produce significant changes in renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, the reabsorption of water, sodium, and other ions, and the release of renin, prostaglandins, and other vasoactive substances. These functional effects contribute significantly to the renal regulation of total body sodium and fluid volumes with important implications for the control of arterial pressure. The renal nerves, both efferent and afferent, are known to be important contributors to the pathogenesis of hypertension. In addition, the efferent renal nerves participate in the mediation of the excessive renal sodium retention, which characterizes edema-forming states such as congestive heart failure. Thus, the renal nerves play an important role in overall cardiovascular homeostasis in both normal and pathological conditions. (Hypertension 1989; 13:539-548)