Is angiotensin-II an endogenous pro-inflammatory molecule?
Angiotensin-II, a product of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) action, regulates vascular tone, stimulates the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, activates NFkappaB, increases oxidant stress, and suppresses nitric oxide synthesis. Thus, angiotensin-II is pro-inflammatory in nature. Hence, increase in ACE activity and the concentrations of angiotensin-II initiate and perpetuate inflammation. Since ACE is present in many tissues including: the uterus, placenta, vascular tissue, heart, brain, adrenal cortex and kidney, leukocytes, alveolar macrophages, peripheral monocytes, neuronal cells and epididymal cells, this suggests that angiotensin-II may have a role in atherosclerosis, congestive cardiac failure, stroke, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, atopic and non-atopic dermatitis, eczema, several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer, conditions in which inflammation is known to play a significant role. This suggests that ACE inhibitors and/or angiotensin-II receptor blockers could be of significant benefit in the management of these conditions. Alternatively, structural analogues of presently available ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers could be developed such that they are not only useful in the treatment of hypertension and CHF but also possess anti-inflammatory actions.
Das
Undurti N
UN
UND Life Sciences, Walpole, MA 02081, USA. undurti@gmail.com
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology*; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011247:Pregnancy
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005609:Free Radicals; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D000804:Angiotensin II; D009569:Nitric Oxide