[The cardiac tissue renin-angiotensin system].

In the last years molecular biological studies proved the presence of mRNA for the various components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in animal and, more recently, in human myocytes. Moreover, higher mRNA levels for the various components of cardiac RAS were demonstrated in different experimental conditions such as myocardial hypertrophy, infarction and heart failure. These experimental evidences suggest the existence of a cardiac RAS, even if up to now direct evidence is lacking of a cardiac functioning RAS autonomous from the plasmatic system.