MMT: renin angiotensin Flashcards
What is the rate limiting step in the RAAS pathway?
Activating renin
What are the main steps of the RAAS pathway?
- Renin activates angiotensinogen to angiotensin I
- ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II
- Angiotensin II increases aldosterone secretion and causes vasoconstriction
- Sodium and water retention/increased peripheral vascular resistance
- Increased blood pressure
Does increased blood pressure impact afterload or preload?
Increases afterload
Does increased sodium and water retention impact afterload or preload?
Increases preload
What other enzyme can ACE cleave? What is the significance of this?
Bradykinin: it affects its vasodilation ability
Describe the movement of blood through the glomerulus.
- Blood enters the afferent arteriole
- Blood moves through the proximal tubule
- Blood moves through the distal tubule
What mechanics facilitate filtration of blood in the glomerulus?
Hydrostatic pressure caused by the afferent arteriole having a larger diameter than the efferent arteriole
What does the macula densa do?
Senses salt; if it senses too little it will activate renin
What do the juxtaglomerular cells do?
They sense stretch; decreased stretch will cause them to release renin
What 3 factors stimulate renin release?
- Salt content (macula densa)
- Blood pressure (juxtaglomerular cells)
- SNS (beta 1)
How is further renin release inhibited?
Ang II acts on the JD cells via negative feedback
What are fast impacts of ang II?
Direct vasoconstriction, enhanced noradrenergic actions in the periphery, increased sympathetic discharge, and release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla
How do angiotensin II receptors work?
They’re coupled to Gq and lead to calcium release
Describe the relationship between Ang II and SNS.
They kind of function like a positive feedback loop!
What are the effects of Ang II at the kidneys?
Increased sodium and water retention, aldosterone release, increased renal sympathetic tone, and renal vasoconstriction
How does Ang II impact GFR?
It constricts the efferent arteriole more than the afferent arteriole, supporting GFR and causing more filtration
Describe how Ang II impacts cardiomyocytes and the heart.
Increases myocyte hypertrophy and ECM deposition which leads to stiffness. It will also increase preload, afterload, and tension. All of these combined can be a major contributor to heart failure. The body uses the RAAS system to try to help, but ends up making it worse.
What is the MOA of ACE inhibitors?
Conversion of Ang I to Ang II is decreased, which leads to lower aldosterone, lower SNS, lower vascular tone, increased bradykinin