The renin-angiotensin system: a target of and contributor to dyslipidemias, altered glucose homeostasis, and hypertension of the metabolic syndrome.
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important therapeutic target in the treatment of hypertension. Obesity has emerged as a primary contributor to essential hypertension in the United States and clusters with other metabolic disorders (hyperglycemia, hypertension, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol) defined within the metabolic syndrome. In addition to hypertension, RAS blockade may also serve as an effective treatment strategy to control impaired glucose and insulin tolerance and dyslipidemias in patients with the metabolic syndrome. Hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and/or specific cholesterol metabolites have been demonstrated to activate components required for the synthesis [angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)], degradation (ACE2), or responsiveness (angiotensin II type 1 receptors, Mas receptors) to angiotensin peptides in cell types (e.g., pancreatic islet cells, adipocytes, macrophages) that mediate specific disorders of the metabolic syndrome. An activated local RAS in these cell types may contribute to dysregulated function by promoting oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. This review will discuss data demonstrating the regulation of components of the RAS by cholesterol and its metabolites, glucose, and/or insulin in cell types implicated in disorders of the metabolic syndrome. In addition, we discuss data supporting a role for an activated local RAS in dyslipidemias and glucose intolerance/insulin resistance and the development of hypertension in the metabolic syndrome. Identification of an activated RAS as a common thread contributing to several disorders of the metabolic syndrome makes the use of angiotensin receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors an intriguing and novel option for multisymptom treatment.
Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, 40536-0200, USA.
Kelly
K
Putnam
Robin
R
Shoemaker
Frederique
F
Yiannikouris
Lisa A
LA
Cassis
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D044882:Glucose Metabolism Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001786:Blood Glucose