We have previously suggested that renin secretion is inversely related to the magnitude of absorptive chloride transport in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Potassium depletion inhibits chloride transport at this site in the nephron. Consequently, we studied the effects of varying sodium and chloride intakes on the renin and aldosterone responses to potassium depletion. Potassium depletion prevented suppression of plasma renin activity (PRA) by dietary NaCl loading and augmented the PRA response to NaCl deprivation. PRA was stimulated (P less than 0.01) by selective chloride (without sodium) deprivation, and potassium depletion did not augment this response. Potassium depletion did not interfere with suppression of PRA by albumin-induced volume expansion. Plasma aldosterone was suppressed by potassium depletion, and the effect of potassium depletion on aldosterone was augmented by NaCl deprivation. In conclusion, the magnitude of PRA stimulation and aldosterone suppression by potassium depletion is modulated by dietary NaCl intake. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that potassium depletion stimulates renin release by inhibiting chloride transport in the loop of Henle.