title: Hyperactive tissue renin-angiotensin systems in cardiovascular dysfunction: experimental evidence and clinical hypotheses.
abstract: In this review, hypotheses are discussed with regard to the role of local, tissue renin-angiotensin systems in the progression of cardiovascular dysfunction. After local renin-angiotensin systems had been described as functionally distinct systems, recent experimental studies have suggested an association between hyperactivity of these local renin-angiotensin systems, and cardiovascular dysfunction. Moreover, the existence of these local renin- angiotensin systems has been confirmed in humans, and early data indicate that the human cardiac renin-angiotensin system may be activated in heart disease. Furthermore, polymorphisms in genes coding for the renin-angiotensin system seem associated with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. These observations may be clinically relevant as inhibition of local renin-angiotensin systems may be an important prerequisite to obtain an optimal clinical effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Buikema
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: van Gilst
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*