This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Effects

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Angiotensin II has a number of individual effects which tend to act to restore plasma volume and blood pressure.

Central nervous system:

  • stimulation of circulatory centre with resulting increase in sympathetic outflow and vasoconstriction
  • stimulation of hypothalamus to:
    • lower threshold for release of ADH
    • increase thirst
    • increase desire for salt

Cardiovascular system:

  • extremely potent vasoconstrictor, particularly of efferent capillaries
  • minimal effect on normal blood pressure homeostasis, but may have a role in maintaining the glomerular filtration rate - see below

Renal:

  • stimulates sodium reabsorption in proximal convoluted tubule
  • possible local feedback loop whereby an increasing salt concentration through the proximal convoluted tubule would lead to increased circulating angiotensin II. Angiotensin II constricts the afferent arteriole to cause a decreased glomerular filtration rate.
  • raises threshold for renin secretion into afferent arterioles - negative feedback

Adrenal cortex:

  • stimulates aldosterone secretion

These peripheral effects of angiotensin II may be minimized by angiotensin receptor antagonists such as losartan.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.