The role of the renal effects of angiotensin II in hypertension.

The renin-angiotensin system is involved in many forms of clinical and experimental hypertension. Although angiotensin II has powerful vasoconstrictor properties, it is doubtful that any substance can produce sustained hypertension solely by increasing total peripheral resistance. Since the authors have demonstrated previously that alterations in the kidney's ability to excrete sodium can affect long-term arterial blood pressure regulation, they investigated angiotensin's effect on renal function in several experimental models. The results of these studies clearly demonstrate that angiotensin has a powerful direct antinatriuretic effect, the magnitude of which is sufficient to cause marked hypertension at angiotensin concentrations well within the pathophysiological range.