51. Counterregulatory actions of angiotensin-(1-7).
- Author
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Ferrario CM, Chappell MC, Tallant EA, Brosnihan KB, and Diz DI
- Subjects
- Angiotensin I, Angiotensin II antagonists & inhibitors, Angiotensin II biosynthesis, Angiotensin II urine, Animals, Endothelium, Vascular drug effects, Humans, Kidney drug effects, Muscle, Smooth, Vascular drug effects, Peptide Fragments biosynthesis, Peptide Fragments urine, Vasodilator Agents pharmacology, Angiotensin II pharmacology, Peptide Fragments pharmacology
- Abstract
Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) is a bioactive component of the renin-angiotensin system that is formed endogenously from either Ang I or Ang II. The first actions described for Ang-(1-7) indicated that the peptide mimicked some of the effects of Ang II, including the release of prostanoids and vasopressin. However, Ang-(1-7) is devoid of vasoconstrictor, central pressor, or thirst-stimulating actions. In fact, new findings reveal depressor, vasodilator, and antihypertensive actions that may be more apparent in hypertensive animals or humans. Thus, the accumulating evidence suggests that Ang-(1-7) may oppose the actions of Ang II either directly or by stimulation of prostaglandins and nitric oxide. These observations are significant because they may explain the effective antihypertensive action of converting enzyme inhibitors in a variety of non-renin-dependent models of experimental and genetic hypertension as well as most forms of human hypertension. In this context, studies in humans and animals showed that the antihypertensive action of converting enzyme inhibitors correlated with increases in plasma levels of Ang-(1-7). In this review, we summarize our knowledge of the mechanisms accounting for the counterregulatory actions of Ang-(1-7) and elaborate on the emerging concept that Ang-(1-7) functions as an antihypertensive peptide within the cascade of the renin-angiotensin system.
- Published
- 1997
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