reduced concentration of angiotensin II, a vasoactive octapeptide produced by the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme on angiotensin I; it acts directly on vascular smooth muscle as a potent vasoconstrictor, affects cardiac contractility and heart rate through its action on the sympathetic nervous system, and alters renal sodium and water absorption through its ability to stimulate the zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal cortex to synthesize and secrete aldosterone