This study aimed to examine whether K+ loading or Na+ loading augments renal kallikrein (KK) secretion. It also investigated the effect of blockade of renal ATP-sensitive K+ channels on renal KK secretion. Rats were administered 50 mmol/kg body weight of KCl. Twelve-hour collected urine was measured for urinary excretion of K+ and Na+ and urinary activity of renal KK. Increases in urinary excretion of K+ and Na+ by K+ loading accompanied an increase in renal KK secretion. In another experiment, rats were infused intravenously with a solution of 75 mM K+ and 75 mM Na+, 150 mM Na+ or 300 mM Na+ for 150 min under anesthesia. Urinary KK activity was measured in urine collected every 30 min. Renal KK secretion began to increase within the 30 min infusion of K+ solution and persisted at more elevated levels during the infusion with K+ solution than with Na+ solutions. Furthermore, rats were given intravenous injection of ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, either PNU-37883A (4-morpholinecarboximidine-N-1-adamantyl-N'-cyclohexyl) at a concentration of 10 mg/kg or glibenclamide at 30 mg/kg. Renal KK secretion increased 30 min after administration of both PNU-37883A and glibenclamide. In conclusion, it may be that augmentation of renal KK secretion by K+ loading occurred through an increase in urinary K+ excretion followed by the inhibition of K+ transport from ATP-sensitive K+ channels.