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The renin-angiotensin system and the mechanisms regulating this system developed during the adaptive evolution of verte­ brates, along with many other systems involved in the in­ tegrated survival of the organism. Because animal species have evolved from common ancestral populations, a basis for the comparison of body structures and physiological processes ex­ ists among animal groups belonging to different classifications. The comparative approach provides a better understanding of the structure and function of adaptive systems and facilitates the development of general principles governing these systems among animal groups; further, this approach reveals significant characteristics specific to certain animal groups. As the evolu­ tion of adaptation of animals to environmental conditions is explored, directions for future research are suggested. In this book, advances in research on the renin-angiotensin system are described with emphasis on the comparative aspects. However, since studies on the renin-angiotensin system of birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes are limited compared with those con­ ducted in mammals, in some chapters descriptions are con­ cerned primarily with mammals. It has taken a long time to write this volume, and the topic is a broad one, with new data always emerging; therefore, certain aspects, and sometimes the most recent information, may not be included. Chapters 1-3 and sections 8. 1-8. 4,8. 6, 8. 7 were written by H. K. ; Chapters 4-7 and Section 8. 5 by Y. T. ; Chapter 9 was written by both authors. H. Uemura, M. Nozaki, Y. Okawara, We are indebted to Drs.

The renin angiotensin system plays an essential role on cardiac and vascular functions and their connection in the generation of cardiovascular diseases. Renin Angiotensin System and Cardiovascular Disease covers indispensable aspects such as intracellular signaling, regulation of cell volume in the failing heart, the presence of an intracrine renin angiotensin system, and the influence of prorenin/renin, angiotensin II, angiotensin (1-7) and aldosterone. Furthermore, the role of the mineralocorticoid receptor as an imperative component of the intracrine renin angiotensin system and as a regulator of extracellular action of angiotensin II is described, reinforcing the view that aldosterone inhibitors are helpful in the treatment of heart failure and hypertension. Renin Angiotensin System and Cardiovascular Disease provides readers with an outstanding review of the major topics involving the renin angiotensin system and cardiovascular disease. With contributions by an international panel of experts, Renin Angiotensin System and Cardiovascular Disease presents the most relevant aspects of the role of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system on cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis and diabetes. The volume Editors, Dr. Walmor C. DeMello and Dr. Edward Frohlich, both established specialists in their respective fields, team up to discuss a range of topics from Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System and Pathobiology of Hypertension to Inhibiting the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System in Patients with Heart Failure and Myocardial Infarction.

How exciting it is to see a field so well established as the ren- angiotensin system continue to grow and mature. Originally, following the original identification of renin by Tigerstedt and Bergman over 100 years ago, workers in this area spent years attempting to establish its role in experimental and renal hypertension. The early work by Goldblatt, in 1934, demonstrated that the placement of a clip around a renal artery was clearly related to the subsequent development of hypertension. However, it wasn't until the simultaneous finding by two different geographically separated teams, Page, et al, in the United States and Braun-Menendez, et al, in Argentina that the peptide angiotensin was identified. Thus, the rate-limiting enzyme renin was released from the kidney and catalyzed a biochemical cascade which was eventually shown to produce the elevated arterial pressure. Subsequently, many workers contributed to the elucidation of the concept and sequence of angiotensin I1 generation. Thus, the enzyme renin acted upon its protein substrate, produced in the liver, to liberate the decapeptide angiotensin I which, upon circulating through the pulmonary circulation, finally produced the potent octapeptide angiotensin. Several important subsequent findings demonstrated that angiotensin I1 promoted the release of the adrenal corticosteroid from that gland, thereby resulting in a larger system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Further, this system demonstrated a classical biofeedback and the circulating octapeptide was shown to have additional biological activities in organs other than heart, vessels, kidney, adrenals, and even brain.

Recent studies have shown that the heart possesses an intrinsic renin angiotensin system that is controlled by tissue-specific parameters that are activated by biomechanical stress. This book reviews the latest information on the way in which both the plasma and cardiac renin angiotensin systems affect heart function. It covers the cell and molecular biology of these systems, with contributions on renin synthesis, uptake and the intracellular signalling pathways. Particular insight comes from transgenic mouse models in which either mouse or human genes for various components of the renin angiotensin system are expressed. Other topics covered include wound healing as well as the trophic effects of aldosterone. Contains the most recent findings on the renin angiotensin system and the heart Written by an international team of distinguished scientists Covers both the cellular and molecular basis of the renin angiotensin system and the clinical relevance of this research

Chronic kidney disease is one of the world's major public health problems, and the prevalence of kidney failure is rising steadily. Among the risk factors for a faster progression of renal disease are hypertension and proteinuria, many studies clearly demonstrating that hypertension is both a cause and consequence of chronic kidney disease. Namely, renal blood pressure regulation seems to be involved in five major pathophysiological mechanisms (all closely related to the renin-angiotensin system): Pressure-natriuresis, renal sympathetic nervous system, renal blood flow, intraglomerular pressure and tubuloglomerular feedback. This book reviews experimental data which form the basis of our current understanding of the association between hypertension and kidney diseases: The pathogenesis of increased blood pressure, the mechanisms by which systemic hypertension promotes progressive kidney failure, and the impact of antihypertensive agents on experimental renal mechanisms involved in hypertension. Furthermore, the role of angiotensin II receptor blockers in both the control of systemic blood pressure and the reduction of proteinuria is examined in an attempt to define optimal therapeutic strategies to prevent the otherwise inexorable deterioration of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease.