Full Description
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has long been seen as a systemic endocrine system in which angiotensin II (ANG II) is solely involved in blood pressure regulation and the mediation of aldosterone release. However, it is now known that specific organ systems exhibit their own local RAS, functioning for the most part independently from their systemic counterpart. A deluge of data from the last decade has shown that ANG II displays many more functions than just regulating blood pressure: ANG II is a growth factor, exhibits profibrogenic actions, and even serves as a proinflammatory cytokine. It is now clear that this peptide plays a pivotal role in the progression of chronic kidney disease towards endstage renal failure. Clinical studies have provided compelling evidence that interference with ANG II slows this deterioration of renal function. This publication presents the first comprehensive summary of this important topic: Basic concepts as well as clinical aspects of the RAS are reviewed by international experts who made many of the key discoveries that constitute our contemporary understanding of ANG II as a central factor in the progression of renal disease. This publication should be read by physicians treating patients with chronic renal diseases (internists, nephrologists and urologists). Moreover, basic scientists such as renal physiologists, renal pathologists and biochemists who want a comprehensive overview of the subject will profit from reading this book.
Contents
Basic Functions of the Renin-Angiotensin System: Intrarenal Formation of Angiotensin II; Signal Transduction Pathways of Angiotensin II in the Kidney; Hemodynamic Effects of Angiotensin II in the Kidney; T.W. Angiotensin II as a Mediator of Renal Tubular Transport; Angiotensin IV and Renal Diseases; Transgenic Mice as a Tool to Study the Renin-Angiotensin System. Angiotensin II in Renal Growth and Development: Angiotensin II as a Renal Growth Factor; Guarding the Kidney Architecture - Newly Recognized Physiological Role of Angiotensin. Proinflammatory Actions of Angiotensin II: Renin-Angiotensin System and Renal Damage - Emerging Data on Angiotensin II as a Proinflammatory Mediator; Angiotensin-Induced Inflammation and Vascular Injury. Angiotensin II and Renal Fibrosis: Angiotensin II, TGF-b and Renal Fibrosis; Angiotensin as Inducer of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Fibrosis; Angiotensin and Renal Fibrosis; Renin-Angiotensin System, Proteinuria, and Tubulointerstitial Damage. The Renin-Angiotensin System and Specific Diseases: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Progression of Renal Disease - Evidence from Clinical Studies; The Renin-Angiotensin System in Diabetic Nephropathy; Renin-Angiotensin System in Chronic Renal Allograft Dysfunction; Angiotensin II and Atherosclerosis - Relevance for Renal Disease.
