ANGIOTENSIN-II AND ITS DIFFERENT RECEPTOR SUBTYPES IN PLACENTA AND FETAL MEMBRANES

The recent discovery of a local renin-angiotensin system in trophoblas tic tissues has raised many questions regarding its role in the physio logy of normal gestation and its implications in the pathophysiology o f hypertension during pregnancy. In this article, the authors first re view the most interesting aspects of the chorioplacental renin-angiote nsin system, dwelling on the tissue distribution of angiotensin II and its receptor subtypes in the placenta and fetal membranes of differen t species. The relationship between angiotensin II and other locally s ynthesized chorioplacental substances is also analysed and the therape utic implications of phenomena observed in pregnancy-associated hypert ension are discussed. (C) 1996 W. B. Saunders Company Ltd