The Renin-Angiotensin System: Is there a Limit to where it Goes?

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) has been extensively studied since the Finnish physiologist Robert Tigerstedt described in 1898 that arterial pressure was elevated upon infusion of kidney extracts containing the a？？pressor substancea？？ renin in anesthetized animals[1]. Its understanding is of unquestionable relevance for the cardiovascular homeostais since pharmacological agents (a？？sartans (AT1R blockers) or a？？pril (ACE inhibitors)) that blunt actions of the RAS has been extensively used in the management of various cardiovascular conditions and its benefits goes beyond the blood pressure reduction effects[2]. More recently, therapeutical strategies have also reached the inhibition of upstream molecules as the discoveries of renin inhibitors