ARTERIAL-WALL OR PLASMA-RENIN IN HYPERTENSION

Local generation of angiotensin II by renin-like activity within the resistance vessel walls is important both in maintaining blood pressure and in determining pressor sensitivity to exogenous angiotensin. Such renin-like activity is biochemically similar to, if not identical with, renal renin and is probably derived from the kidney. It has a much longer half-life than plasma renin. The renin-angiotensin system thus probably functions as a local humoral control system within the blood vessel wall.