Recent evidence shows that the renin-angiotensin system is a crucial player in atherosclerotic processes. The regulation of arterial blood pressure was considered from its first description of the main mechanism involved. Vasoconstriction (mediated by angiotensin II) and salt and water retention (mainly due to aldosterone) were classically considered as pivotal proatherosclerotic activities. Ho...

The mechanisms of drug dependence and rewarding properties of opiates are not exactly known and several neurotransmitters seem to be involved. It is possible that the rennin-angiotensin system could interact with the opioid system, since it has been shown that angiotensin II(Ang) and ACE inhibitors have analgesic, anticonvulsant and antidepression effects and in some cases they could antagonize...

The zinc metalloprotease, neprilysin (NEP), plays a role in the metabolism of cardiovascular, inflammatory and neuropeptides, including mitogenic peptides such as bombesin. In the cardiovascular system, NEP has a primary role in the inactivation of natriuretic peptides but also contributes to local metabolism of angiotensin, endothelins and bradykinin. Hence NEP is seen as a potential therapeut...

Cardiovascular disease is predicted to be the commonest cause of death worldwide by the year 2020. Diabetes, smoking and hypertension are the main risk factors. The renin-angiotensin system plays a key role in regulating blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis in mammals. The discovery of specific drugs that block either the key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system, angiotensin-c...

      Losartan potassium is a well known orally active non-peptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Losartan potassium and its principle active metabolites block the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone secreting effect of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to AT1 receptors. The drug is reported to promote the decrease in ventricular hypertrophy, salt ...

Literature data on the role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in pathogenesis arterial hypertension and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors treatment have been given.The is central element controlling body's water-salt balance blood pressure. The main effector link renin-angiotensin angiotensin II, which causes vasospasm, activates heart contraction, inhibits production bradykinin, p...

The demonstration of all components of the renin-angiotensin system in vascular tissue has raised questions as to the precise location of the local angiotensin II generation within the vascular wall. We investigated the metabolism of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in the vascular wall in the isolated rabbit thoracic aorta. Angiotensin I (3 x 10(-9) M) applied into the aortic lumen was partiall...

introduction: the brain renin-angiotensin system (ras) has been reported having a pathological role in age-related impairment in learning and memory. therefore, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (acei) are expected to have positive effects on memory. longtime treatment with captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) significantly attenuates the age-related impairment in learn...

background: diabetic nephropathy is considered to be the most common cause of end stage renal disease (esrd). proteinuria is declared as the most marked risk factor in progression towards esrd. the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pentoxifylline for reduction of proteinuria in type ii diabetic patients. methods: from may 2007 to june 2008, this randomized clinical trial study w...

losartan potassium is a well known orally active non-peptide angiotensin ii receptor antagonist. losartan potassium and its principle active metabolites block the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone secreting effect of angiotensin ii by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin ii to at1 receptors. the drug is reported to promote the decrease in ventricular hypertrophy, salt and water excreti...