Role of the renin-angiotensin system in control of sodium excretion and arterial pressure.

The RAS is part of an extremely powerful feedback system for long-term control of arterial pressure and volume homeostasis as illustrated in Figure 4. Disturbances that tend to lower blood pressure such as heart failure, cirrhosis, and peripheral vasodilation, cause sodium and water retention until blood pressure returns to normal due in large part to the combined actions of ANGII and reduced renal perfusion pressure. In response to disturbances such as high sodium intake, suppression of ANGII greatly amplifies the effectiveness of the basic pressure natriuresis and diuresis mechanism, thereby preventing large increases in body fluid volumes and blood pressure. In circumstances in which the RAS is inappropriately activated, the sodium-water retaining effects of ANGII necessitate increased blood pressure to maintain sodium and water balance via pressure natriuresis. The sodium retaining actions of the RAS are mediated by intrarenal as well as extrarenal mechanisms. The intrarenal actions of ANGII include a direct effect on tubular sodium transport as well as a potent constrictor action on efferent arterioles which increases tubular reabsorption by altering peritubular capillary physical forces. The constrictor action of ANGII on efferent arterioles also plays an important role in stabilizing GFR and therefore in preventing fluctuations in excretion of metabolic waste products that depend upon a high GFR for excretion. ANGII is known to stimulate proximal reabsorption, but the effects on more distal tubular segments have not been completely elucidated. The primary extra-known to stimulate proximal reabsorption, but the effects on more distal tubular segments have not been completely elucidated. The primary extra-renal effect of ANGII which influences sodium excretion is stimulation of aldosterone secretion. Current evidence, however, suggests that the various intrarenal actions of ANGII are quantitatively more important in causing sodium retention than those mediated by changes in aldosterone secretion. However, the combined intrarenal and extrarenal actions of ANGII on sodium reabsorption provide the body with one of its most potent feedback systems for long-term regulation of body fluid volumes and arterial pressure.