PMID: 15222251Jun 30, 2004Paper

Renin-angiotensin system and its role in cardiovascular physiopathology and therapy

Revista Portuguesa De Cardiologia : Orgão Oficial Da Sociedade Portuguesa De Cardiologia = Portuguese Journal of Cardiology : an Official Journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology
Paulo Castro-Chaves, Adelino F Leite-Moreira

Abstract

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is an octapeptide with a central role in cardiovascular homeostasis and actions in several organs including the adrenal gland, kidney, brain, heart, smooth muscle cells and sympathetic nervous system. At these levels it is involved in cellular proliferation and apoptosis, cellular migration, inflammation, synthesis and release of various mediators such as platelet-derived growth factor and endothelin-1) and in the synthesis of extracellular matrix. Traditionally, Ang II was considered a systemic hormone regulating blood pressure, aldosterone release and sodium reabsorption. However, nowadays it is known that this mediator is also formed at the tissue level in the brain, kidney and heart, suggesting local paracrine and autocrine action. At the vascular level, with the exception of renin, all other components of this system are locally produced in vascular adventitia, smooth muscle cells or endothelial cells. In the heart all the components have also been found and their response to humoral, nervous and mechanical stimuli suggests a working local system. Ang II exerts its biological action through two main receptor subtypes: AT-1 and AT-2. The AT-1 receptor is responsible for many of the physiological effe...Continue Reading

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