ABSTRACT
Angiotensin (Ang) II is one of a family of bioactive angiotensin peptides that includes angiotensin 2-8 (Ang III), angiotensin 3-8 (Ang IV), and angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7). Although long considered to be biologically inactive, a recent study suggests that Ang I may also be bioactive in the kidney, unrelated to its conversion to Ang II.1 The nomenclature and sequences of angiotensin peptides referred to in this chapter are shown in Figure 6.1. The importance of Ang III, Ang IV, and Ang 1-7 lies in their potential to mediate some of the effects of Ang II, and to contribute to the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor blockers (ARBs). This chapter has a clinical focus, and will briefly review the formation, metabolism, and measurement of these peptides. Other aspects of the biology of these peptides are discussed elsewhere in this volume.
