The integrated effects of angiotensin II.
In recent years, a prodigious amount of information has been gathered regarding the relationship between vascular biology and the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease. Activation of elements of the reninangiotensin system (RAS) appear to play an important role in the development and progression of conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. Indeed, converging lines of evidence indicate that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) regulates a delicate balance among a multitude of factors responsible for vascular tone, cellular growth promotion and inhibition, and pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. Because angiotensin II inhibits fibronectin, stimulates expression of plasminogen activator inhibitors, and degrades bradykinin, thereby impairing production of nitric oxide, ACE and the RAS are also involved in thrombosis and fibrinolysis. The favorable effects of ACE inhibition on endothelial function and, potentially, on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are believed to result not only from angiotensin II suppression but also its consequent bradykinin preservation and nitric oxide production.
Cody
R J
RJ
Department of Medicine, Ohio State University Hospitals, College of Medicine, Columbus 43210, USA.
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000502:physiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000804:Angiotensin II