[The renin-angiotensin system].

Abstract

The history of the renin-angiotensin system goes back to the 19th century. ANG II is still considered to be the most effective component of the RAS. This octapeptide plays an important role in the control of body fluid volume, in blood pressure regulation and in cardiovascular remodeling through the mediation of the direct effects on protein synthesis, on the cell growth and the cell differentiation, on the induction of growth-promoting genes and on the suppression of synthesis of oxygen species, prostanoids and cytokines.