Isolation of a hypertension-producing compound from normal human urine.

A protein fraction has been isolated from normal human urine which, when injected over a period of 10-15 days in normal rats, produced sustained hypertension. On cessation of injection, the blood pressure fell to normal level within 7-10 days. The hypertension was accompanied by expansion of plasma volume, retention of sodium, and alteration in urinary Na/K ratio. Further, it led to hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex and increased circulating aldosterone without a change in plasma corticosterone values. These results suggest that the protein fraction increased arterial pressure in rats through direct stimulation of aldosterone production resulting in sodium retention and volume expansion.