Cardiovascular diseases, including
hypertension are the leading cause of death in the developed countries. Diabetes and
chronic kidney disease became also more prevalent reaching almost the level of epidemy. Researchers are looking eagerly for the new risk and/or pathogenetic factors, as well as therapeutic option in these disease. It has been suggested that human kidney releases a
protein named
renalase into the bloodstream. It is supposed to be an
enzyme which breaks down
catecholamines in the blood circulation and regulate blood pressure. However, there were several doubts whether
renalase exerts monoaminooxidase activity, or if it is monoaminooxidase at all. Recently, a hypothesis that it is also a
cytokine was postulated. Studies on
renalase polymorphisms in
hypertension,
cardiovascular disease or diabetes are inconsistent. Similarly, there are several discrepancies in the animal on the possible role of
renalase in
hypertension and
cardiovascular diseases. Some studies report a protective role of
renalase in
acute kidney injury, whereas others showed that
renalase levels were mainly dependent on kidney function, indicating rather a role of kidney in excretion of this substance. Moreover, validated assays are needed to evaluate
renalase levels and activity. On one hand a deeper and more accurate link between
renalase and
cardiovascular diseases require further profound research, on the other hand whether or not
renalase protein could be a new therapeutic target in these pathologies should also be considered. Whether
renalase, discovered in 2005, might be a Holy Grail of
hypertension, linking kidney and
cardiovascular diseases, remains to be proven.