BUMC PROCEEDINGS 2003;16:123–126 The angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) represent a newer class of antihypertensive agents. Their mechanism of action differs from that of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which also affect the renin-angiotensin system. The ARBs were developed to overcome several of the deficiencies of ACE inhibitors: competitive inhibition of ACE results ...

BACKGROUND To evaluate the effect of supraphysiological levels of angiotensin II and selective angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-receptor) blockade on neointimal formation and systemic endothelial function after stent implantation in the rat abdominal aorta. METHODS Male Wistar rats were randomized to one of three groups; control (n=8), angiotensin II infusion (n=9, 200 ng/kg/min), or cande...

The development of novel non-peptide compounds with high affinity for-angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors has greatly facilitated the subclassification of Ang II receptors into AT1- and AT2-receptor subtypes. Whereas PD 123177 (1-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)methyl-5-diphenyl-acetyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro- 1H-imidazol [4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid) is the prototypical antagonist for AT2-receptors, DuP...

Females are less sensitive to the hypertensive effects of angiotensin II compared with males, although the molecular mechanisms responsible are unknown. We hypothesize that differential activation of angiotensin II, angiotensin (1-7), angiotensin II type 1, angiotensin II type 2, and mas levels in the renal cortex of male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats contribute to sex differences ...

Angiotensin II regulates vascular structure through growth and apoptosis, with implications in pathophysiology. Subtypes of vascular smooth muscle cells with specific morphology, growth, or apoptotic features have been isolated. Here, we investigated the effects of angiotensin II on apoptosis of 2 morphologically different rat aortic smooth muscle cell phenotypes. Spindle and epithelioid cell l...

The Gi pathway augments renal vasoconstriction induced by angiotensin II in spontaneously hypertensive but not normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. Because the Gi-coupled pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-fold peptide receptors Y1 and Y2 are expressed in kidneys and are activated by endogenous PP-fold peptides, we tested the hypothesis that these receptors regulate angiotensin II-induced renal vasoconstri...

Females are less sensitive to the hypertensive effects of angiotensin II compared with males, although the molecular mechanisms responsible are unknown. We hypothesize that differential activation of angiotensin II, angiotensin (1-7), angiotensin II type 1, angiotensin II type 2, and mas levels in the renal cortex of male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats contribute to sex differences ...

Objective(s) Four novel losartan analogues 5a-d were synthesized by connecting a dihydropyridine nucleus to imidazole ring. The effects of 5a and 5b on angiotensin receptors (AT') and L-type calcium channels were investigated on isolated rat aorta. Materials and Methods Aortic rings were pre-contracted with 1 pM Angiotensin II or 80 mM KCl and relaxant effects of losartan, nifedipine, 5a and...

The continued poor rates of blood pressure (BP) control to the recommended target BP of <140/90 mm Hg in patients with hypertension indicate a persistent need for improved antihypertensive therapy. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) constitute the newest approved class of antihypertensive agents. As with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, ARBs block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone...

The ability of angiotensin peptides to stimulate prostaglandin release and raise intracellular calcium levels by activating a phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C was assessed in three human astrocytoma cell lines (CRTG3, STTG1, and WITG2). The addition of angiotensin II to CRTG3 cells resulted in a dose-dependent release of prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin, the production of inositol 1,4...