REN and atherosclerosis: In previous studies to determine effects of AGT on atherosclerosis, inhibition of AGT diminished Western diet–induced body weight gain and liver steatosis in mice.59,66 Mice with global genetic deletion of AGT,67 renin,68 or ACE69 have lower body weight and less fat attributed to impaired normal growth and kidney development, irrespective of being fed a normal laboratory diet or a fat-enriched diet.