II. Physiology: Overall Process
- Images
- Step 1: Renin release- Stimulators of renin release- Kidney detects decreased effective Blood Flow
- Increased sympathetic tone
- Renal Artery Stenosis
 
- Renin secreted from renal cortex- Secreted from juxtaglomerular cells
- Cells located at afferent arteriole of glomerulus
 
 
- Stimulators of renin release
- Step 2: Renin mediated step- Renin cleaves Angiotensinogen to Angiotensin I
 
- Step 3: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) mediated- Angiotensin I converted by ACE to Angiotensin II
- Conversion by ACE occurs in pulmonary vasculature
 
- Step 4: Angiotensin II Effects- Sodium and water retention- Stimulates Aldosterone secretion
- Directly affects renal tubule
 
- Vasomotor tone balance- Angiotensin II is a potent Vasoconstrictor- Increases systemic vascular resistence
- May be Norepinephrine mediated
 
- Antagonist to nitric oxide (potent vasodilator)
 
- Angiotensin II is a potent Vasoconstrictor
 
- Sodium and water retention
III. Physiology: Angiotensin II
- Angiotensin II Effects- Increases oxygen demand
- Increases coronary and renal Vasoconstriction
- Increases Preload and Afterload
- Predisposes to Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Increases Catecholamine release (e.g. Norepinephrine)
- Increases Aldosterone
 
- Agents that decrease Angiotensin II levels
IV. References
- Rose (1987) Pathophysiology of Renal Disease, p. 474-7
- Bicket (2002) Am Fam Physician 66(3):461-8 [PubMed]
 
          