Adrenal gland
A number of endocrine diseases involve dysfunctions of the adrenal gland. Overproduction of cortisol leads to Cushing's syndrome, whereas insufficient production is associated with Addison's disease. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a genetic disease produced by dysregulation of endocrine control mechanisms. A variety of tumors can arise from adrenal tissue and are commonly found in medical imaging when searching for other diseases.
The adrenal glands are located on both sides of the body in the retroperitoneum, above and slightly medial to the kidneys. In humans, the right adrenal gland is pyramidal in shape, whereas the left is semilunar or crescent shaped and somewhat larger. The adrenal glands measure approximately 3 cm in width, 5.0 cm in length, and up to 1.0 cm in thickness. Their combined weight in an adult human ranges from 7 to 10 grams. The glands are yellowish in colour.
Kisspeptin
Kisspeptin and its receptor was found in various sites in the kidney, including in the collecting duct, vascular smooth muscle, and in the renal tubule cells. Much of the impact on the kidney deals with the increased production of aldosterone in the adrenals glands stimulated by kisspeptin. Kisspeptin directly increases release of aldosterone by several means, the first being through these receptors leading to a direct route to aldosterone release. Secondly, the H295R adrenal cells stimulated by kisspeptin can synthesize aldosterone by breaking down pregnenolone more efficiently. Lastly, the kisspeptin-angiotensin II pathway of producing aldosterone is increased. Aldosterone that comes from the neighboring adrenal glands causes reabsorption of filtrate in order to retain water, leading to an increased blood pressure.