angiotensin

noun

an·​gio·​ten·​sin ˌan-jē-ō-ˈten(t)-sən How to pronounce angiotensin (audio)
: either of two forms of a kinin of which one has marked vasoconstrictive action
also : a synthetic amide derivative of the physiologically active form used to treat some forms of hypotension

Examples of angiotensin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The company’s intravenous drug, TXA127, is a pharmaceutical version of the naturally occurring peptide angiotensin-(1-7), and the company had spent years developing it as a treatment for diseases in which the renin-angiotensin system was out of kilter. Damian Garde, STAT, 10 June 2020 These endangered apes have the same receptor that SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter human cells — angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) — making infection a distinct possibility. Jackie Rocheleau, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Dec. 2020 Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks an enzyme that narrows blood vessels. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 14 Nov. 2022 Quinapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that prevents blood vessels from narrowing, while hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, which causes a person to urinate more and flushes out sodium in the body. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2022 The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein, which is present on the surface of many human cells, can be mixed into chewing gum. Abdullah Iqbal, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2022 Millions of blood-pressure pills known as angiotensin II receptor blockers were recalled beginning in July 2018 after it was found their active ingredients were contaminated with NDMA as a byproduct of the manufacturing process. Anna Edney, Bloomberg.com, 30 May 2020 The ape form of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor that the new coronavirus uses to enter cells is identical to the human one, making it likely that apes can be infected, according to an 11 April preprint on bioRxiv. Ann Gibbons, Science | AAAS, 1 May 2020 The spike protein attaches to a receptor on human cells called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Kai Kupferschmidt, Science | AAAS, 28 Apr. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'angiotensin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

angiotonin, an earlier name for the substance (from angio- + Greek tónos "stretching, strain, tension," alluding to its pressor effect + -in entry 1) + hypertensin, a synonymous name, from hypertens(ion) + -in entry 1, after Spanish hipertensina — more at tone entry 1

Note: The term angiotonin was introduced by the American physiologist Irvine H. Page (1901-91) and biochemist Oscar M. Helmer in "A crystalline pressor substance (angiotonin) resulting from the reaction between renin and renin activator," Journal of Experimental Medicine, vol. 71, No. 1 (January 1, 1940), pp. 29-42. The etymology is stated explicitly: "For this substance we suggest the name 'angiotonin' [Greek ἀγγεῖον, blood vessel, + τόνος (τείνω), strain]" (p. 29). Spanish hipertensina was introduced by the Argentine physiologist Eduardo Braun-Menéndez (1903-59) and coworkers in "La sustancia hipertensora de la sangre del riñón isquemiado," Revista de la Sociedad Argentina de Biología, vol. 15 (1939), pp. 420-25. Page and Braun-Menéndez later agreed to merge the two synonymous names into angiotensin; see "Suggested Revision of Nomenclature—Angiotensin," Science, vol. 127, Issue 3292 (January 31, 1958), p. 242.

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of angiotensin was in 1958

Dictionary Entries Near angiotensin

Cite this Entry

“Angiotensin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angiotensin. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

angiotensin

noun
an·​gio·​ten·​sin ˌan-jē-ō-ˈten(t)-sən How to pronounce angiotensin (audio)
1
: either of two forms of a kinin of which one has marked physiological activity and the other is its physiologically inactive precursor
especially : angiotensin ii
2
: a synthetic amide derivative of angiotensin II used to treat some forms of hypotension

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