“…In fact, the main agonist of this system, Ang II, can be envisioned as a growth factor which can promote the progression of kidney damage (Mezzano et al, 2001;Ruiz-Ortega & Egido, 1997). Activation of components of the renin-angiotensin system, including Ang II, locally in the kidney, has been shown to occur early in various experimental models of ARI, e.g., folic acid-induced nephrotoxicity or ischemia/reperfusion (Allred et al, 2000;Kontogiannis & Burns, 1998;Ortega et al, 2005;Santos et al, 2001). Moreover, Ang II antagonists exert beneficial effects on renal function in these models (Abdulkader et al, 1998;Long et al, 1993;Ortega et al, 2005).…”