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Importance of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAS) in the Physiology and Pathology of Hypertension

An Overview

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Summary

Current leading theories of the mechanisms of essential hypertension include the participation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS). Recent advances provide means for a critical reassessment of this system in the physiology and pathology of hypertension. The expression of the proteins of the RAS in organs other than the kidneys suggests that angiotensin II also acts as a modulator of cell function. This paper discusses the role of tissue angiotensin peptides in the regulation of blood pressure and suggests new ideas with regard to the importance of the brain RAS in the development of essential hypertension.

Resumen

Las teorías actuales de mayor relevancia sobre los mecanismos de la hipertensión esencial toman en cuenta la participación del sistema de renina-angiotensina-aldosterona (RAS). Los avances más recientes nos proporcionan medios para efectuar una nueva valoraciôn crítica de dicho sistema en la fisiología y patología de la hipertensión. La manifestación de las proteínas del RAS en órganos que no sean los riñones sugiere que la angiotensina II también actúa como moduladora de la función celular. Esta ponencia aborda el papel que desempeñan los peptidos de angiotensina del tejido en la regulación de la presión sanguinea y sugiere nuevas ideas en lo que concierne a las importancia del RAS en el desarrollo de la hipertensión esencíal.

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  1. Department of Brain and Vascular Research, Research Institute of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, One Clinic Center, Cleveland, Ohio, 44195-5070, USA

    Carlos M. Ferrario

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Ferrario, C.M. Importance of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAS) in the Physiology and Pathology of Hypertension. Drugs 39 (Suppl 2), 1–8 (1990). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199000392-00002

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