Therapeutic Angiotensin II

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic form of the endogenous angiotensin II, a peptide hormone of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) that causes vasoconstriction and an increase in blood pressure, that may be used for the treatment of septic or other distributive shock. Upon administration, therapeutic angiotensin II binds to angiotensin II type 1 receptor on vascular smooth muscle cells which leads to Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of myosin. This causes smooth muscle contraction and results in vasoconstriction and an increase in blood pressure. Therapeutic angiotensin II also increases blood pressure by stimulating the release of the steroid hormone aldosterone, which regulates the renal absorption of water and sodium.

**Synonyms:** - ANGIOTENSIN II - Angiotensin II