Mice missing the AMPKα1 gene produce more aldosterone in their urine and have lower blood pressure than normal mice.

When mice lack the AMPKα1 gene, their kidneys handle salt normally and produce less urine than usual.

In mice, more potassium leads to more aldosterone in a straight-line way, but blood pressure rises sharply only when aldosterone hits a certain level (around 4040 pg/24h), then levels off.

In mice, AMPK is linked to how the kidneys function.

When mice lose both AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 in their kidneys, they lose too much water and salt in their urine.

Even though these mice have less red blood cells, their blood plasma volume is higher than normal mice.