The role of the RAS in programming of adult hypertension.
The aetiology of cardiovascular disease originally included two components: a genetic component and an environmental or lifestyle component. Increasing epidemiologic evidence has been accumulating during the last decades indicating the importance of a third component: the influence of the environment during foetal development. Poor living conditions resulted in a high infant mortality and influenced the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood despite better living conditions (A. Forsdahl. Br J Prev Soc Med 1977; 31, 91-95). An association between pre-natal growth pattern and the rate of death from cardiovascular disease in adulthood was reported (D.J. Barker, P.D. Winter, C. Osmond, B. Margetts & S.J. Simmonds. Lancet 1989; 2, 577-580). Men from Hartfordshire (UK), born between 1911 and 1930 were investigated. The investigations showed that men with the lowest weight at birth and at 1 year of age had the highest risks of death from cardiovascular disease (D.J. Barker, P.D. Winter, C. Osmond, B. Margetts & S.J. Simmonds. Lancet 1989; 2, 577-580). These findings suggested that factors in the perinatal environment could programme an individual for later risk of development of cardiovascular disease compared with someone born with a normal weight. Numerous studies have since confirmed these initial findings of an inverse relationship between early growth pattern and cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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D000818:Animals; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000196:embryology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances