title: Tissue angiotensin generation and regulation of vascular tone.
abstract: The renin-angiotensin system is intimately involved in the control of sodium and water balance, the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, mitogenesis and the regulation of vascular tone. There is evidence that many of these effects may be controlled at a local level by independent tissue renin-angiotensin systems. Drugs that are specific inhibitors of the cascade have proved powerful tools for dissecting the physiology of the renin-angiotensin system, and are of major benefit in the treatment of hypertension and chronic heart failure. Recent evidence suggests that variations in the genes coding for components of the system may affect the risk of developing hypertension and ischaemic heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, United Medical and Dental School, Guy's Hospital Medical School, London, U.K.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cockcroft
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: O'Kane
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000808:Angiotensinogen / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000502:physiology; D012083:Renin / Q000502:physiology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000804:Angiotensin II; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000808:Angiotensinogen; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D012083:Renin; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors