Rev Invest Clin
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Traditionally, the renin angiotensin system (RAS) has been thought of primarily as an endocrine system that delivers circulating angiotensin II to target tissues. This peptide is a potent vasoconstrictor and a primary stimulus for aldosterone secretion. In addition, angiotensin II has many other targets such as kidney, heart and brain, from which it elicits different specific responses. ⋯ It has been proposed that the main function of the circulating RAS is to provide short-term cardiorenal homeostasis. The tonic control (e.g., adrenal and kidney) is influenced by the intrinsic tissue RAS. This new concept provides a broader outlook on the RAS and challenges its traditional endocrine role.