According to a recent study, kidneys play an important role in controlling blood pressure. The study is conducted by the scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Centre San Antonio and is published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Researchers have found out that blood pressure regulation system is present inside the structural units of the kidneys.

These structural units of the kidneys are called nephrons. The basic function of a nephron is to remove the waste products from the blood and recycle the substances which are required by the body. The remaining part is eliminated in the form of urine by the nephron.

The last part of the nephron is called the distal segment and it regulates the quantity of sodium in the blood thereby controlling the blood pressure.

The researchers have explained the function of this distal nephron in controlling blood pressure. They reveal that the distal nephron regulates the amount of sodium through a local regulatory system.

In case of loss of this system, the kidneys are not able to retain the salts in a proper manner. As a result, the blood pressure increases leading to hypertension.

Study Author James Stockand, Professor of Physiology at the Texas Health Science Center revealed that the study conducted on mice gives a clear indication of the blood pressure control system present in the kidney.