肾素—血管紧张素系统在高血压发病机理中的复杂情况,现已为人们充分认识。从肾脏释放的肾素首先与血浆球蛋白成分(血管紧张素原)作用,产生血管紧张素I(AI),一种无活性的十肽化合物。后者主要在肺部,又经血管紧张素转化酶(ACE)的作用,转化为八肽血管紧张素Ⅱ(AⅡ),这是迄今所知最强效的内源性升压物质。血管紧张素Ⅱ刺激肾上腺皮质 The complexities of the renin-angiotensin system in the pathogenesis of hypertension are now well understood. Renin released from the kidneys first interacts with the plasma globulin component (angiotensinogen), producing angiotensin I (AI), an inactive decapeptide compound. The latter, mainly in the lungs, is converted to octapeptide angiotensin II (AII) by the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), the most potent endogenous vasopressor known to date. Angiotensin II stimulates the adrenal cortex