Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulates renin secretion in vitro: evidence for a direct action of the peptide on the renal juxtaglomerular cells.

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and isoproterenol on renin release in vitro was investigated using an isolated superfused rat glomerular preparation. VIP at a dose of 10(-9)-10(-7) M significantly stimulated renin release in a dose-related manner while 10(-10) M was ineffective. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that VIP is a renin-stimulating factor and can have this effect by acting directly on the renal juxtaglomerular cells.