Effect of osmolality on angiotensin-stimulated aldosterone production by primary cultures of bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells.

Studies were performed to examine the relationship between osmolality and aldosterone production using primary cultures of bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells. Cell monolayers were incubated under hypo- (234 mOsm), iso- (274 mOsm), or hyperosmotic (318 mOsm) conditions in the absence or presence of angiotensin II (10(-12) M to 10(-9) M). Although basal steroidogenesis was unaffected, angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone production was inversely related to osmolality. Mannitol and NaCl were equally effective as osmotic particles. Thus, modulation of angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion produced in vivo by changes in plasma osmolality result, in part, from a direct effect on the glomerulosa cells.