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Angiotensin II--an important stress hormone
Biological Signals
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Angiotensin II (Ang II), a stress hormone, increases during stress. Research suggests Ang II initiates systemic stress responses, acting similarly to other major stress systems.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Angiotensin II (Ang II) functions as a significant stress hormone.
- Elevated circulating and tissue Ang II levels are observed in stressed animals.
- Human studies show increased plasma Ang II and cortisol post-exercise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and its relationship with the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortex and sympathetic-adrenal medulla systems during stress.
- To propose Ang II as a key initiator of the systemic stress response.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies.
- Analysis of correlations between the renin-angiotensin system and other stress response systems.
Main Results:
- Angiotensin II levels rise significantly under acute and chronic stress.
- Ang II plays a role in peripheral stress hormone responses.
- Ang II is implicated in initiating central and peripheral stress responses.
Conclusions:
- The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is proposed as a stress hormone response system.
- Ang II acts as both a peripheral stress hormone and a central initiator of stress responses.
- RAS functions analogously to the HPA axis and sympathetic-adrenal medulla system in stress.