Angiotensin‐II receptors: new targets for antihypertensive therapy

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Abstract
The renin–angiotensin system regulates blood pressure and sodium homeostasis through a series of coordinated substrate–enzyme interactions. These interactions result in the production of angiotensin II (AII), which exerts a number of diverse biologic effects mediated through AII cell‐surface receptors. Dysregulation of this system is implicated in the pathogenesis of various forms of hypertension. Traditional therapy for hypertension has included angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, which block the production of AII. However, a new class of drugs, AT1‐receptor blockers, now offers a number of benefits by specifically blocking the effects of AII at its physiologically relevant receptor.