Vascular angiotensin pathways: a new therapeutic target.

The renin-angiotensin system affects blood pressure and regional blood flow through endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine influences. The circulating endocrine renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is activated for acute cardiovascular homeostasis. The recent demonstration of a local renin-angiotensin system in the blood vessel wall has led us to speculate that the local production of angiotensin is involved with autocrine and paracrine control of vascular resistance. In addition to producing arteriolar constriction, arterial wall renin-angiotensin may influence the compliance of large conduit arteries. The production of angiotensin in the blood vessels may participate in hypertension and may influence blood pressure responses to the inhibitors of the RAS.