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Liu L, Li Y, Li JX, Xiao X, Wan TT, Li HH, Guo SB. ACE2 Expressed on Myeloid Cells Alleviates Sepsis-Induced Acute Liver Injury via the Ang-(1-7)-Mas Receptor Axis. Inflammation 2024; 47:891-908. [PMID: 38240986 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01949-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Sepsis-induced acute liver injury (ALI) is common in intensive care units. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays a vital role in hepatic fibrosis and steatosis; however, its role in sepsis-induced ALI remains unclear. This study found that hepatic ACE2 expression in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-treated mice significantly decreased 24 h after CLP. ACE2-transgenic (TG) mice exhibited a significant improvement in CLP-induced ALI, accompanied by the inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation, while ACE2-knockout mice demonstrated an opposite trend. During sepsis-induced ALI, ACE2-TG could also elevate the Ang-(1-7) and Mas receptor (MasR) levels in liver tissues. Interestingly, the MasR inhibitor A779 abrogated the favorable effects of ACE2 on CLP-induced ALI. In a bone marrow transplantation experiment, the ACE2-TG transplantation group showed significantly improved inflammation and liver dysfunction, less hepatocyte apoptosis, and reduced oxidative stress after CLP compared with the wild-type transplantation group. In contrast, the ACE2-knockout group showed poor inflammatory response and liver dysfunction, significantly more hepatocyte apoptosis, and elevated oxidative stress than the wild-type transplantation group after CLP. ACE2 protects against sepsis-induced ALI by inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation via the Ang-(1-7)-Mas receptor axis. Thus, targeting ACE2 may be a promising novel strategy for preventing and treating sepsis-induced ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, South Road of Worker's Stadium, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Ya Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, South Road of Worker's Stadium, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Jia-Xin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, South Road of Worker's Stadium, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Xue Xiao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, South Road of Worker's Stadium, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Tian-Tian Wan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, South Road of Worker's Stadium, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Hui-Hua Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, South Road of Worker's Stadium, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, China.
| | - Shu-Bin Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, South Road of Worker's Stadium, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, China.
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Pashaei M, Hesari M, Shackebaei D, Godini A. Cardioprotective effects of losartan and diminazene against the ischemia/reperfusion injury in hyperthyroidism rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2024; 102:383-390. [PMID: 38377482 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2023-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces high levels of thyroid hormone. Heart diseases are one of the main complications of hyperthyroidism. Several studies have shown that losartan (LOS) and diminazene aceturate (DIZE) possess cardioprotection effects against cardiac hypertrophy, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure. The research aimed to investigate the cardioprotection of LOS, DIZE, and their combination in the case of levothyroxine (LT4)-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. Hyperthyroidism was induced by LT4 in drinking water (12 mg/L) for 28 days. LOS (10 mg/kg, orally) and/or DIZE (15 mg/kg, subcutaneously) were administrated in rats with hyperthyroidism for 28 days. Decreased serum creatine kinase myoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase levels and cardiac hypertrophy by DIZE and combination therapy in hyperthyroidism rats have been reported. Cardiac hemodynamic findings showed that DIZE and its combination with LOS decreased the LT4-mediated left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), rate pressure product (RPP), and RPP recovery percentage. Elevated cardiac oxidative stress and inflammation were confirmed by decreasing cardiac superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increasing the total oxidative stress and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels. SOD activity and TNF-α level were reversed by LOS and DIZE administration, respectively. Generally, DIZE and combination therapy with LOS improved cardiac dysfunction caused by hyperthyroidism in rats, whereas LOS alone has not been able to effectively respond to this dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosayeb Pashaei
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mahvash Hesari
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Dareuosh Shackebaei
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Aliashraf Godini
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Lu Z, Wu D, Wang Z, Zhang H, Du Y, Wang G. Diminazene aceturate mitigates cardiomyopathy by interfering with renin-angiotensin system in a septic rat model. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2022; 23:44. [PMID: 35787308 PMCID: PMC9251020 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-022-00584-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There were limited studies investigating treatments of septic cardiomyopathy (SCM), which is a common complication during sepsis. A septic rat model created by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to investigate the effects of diminazene aceturate (DIZE) in SCM. Methods A total of 151 Wistar rats were randomly assigned into the sham, CLP, or CLP + DIZE group. Data evaluated postoperatively at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours included: cardiac function; plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6, angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)], angiotensin II (AngII), troponin I, and brain natriuretic peptide; expression levels of myocardial Ang-(1–7), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, and angiotensin type 1 and Mas receptors; and histological changes. Results We found that the CLP + DIZE group had a lower mortality compared to the CLP group (38.5% versus 61.5%) within 48 h postoperatively, although without statistical significance. In contrast to the sham group, the CLP group had decreased cardiac functions, increased myocardial injuries, and higher TNF-α levels, which were ameliorated in the CLP + DIZE group. Furthermore, administration of DIZE could reverse the decreases of myocardial Ang-(1–7) and ACE2 expressions in the CLP group, which finally minimized the myocardial microstructure disruptions. Conclusions It was concluded that DIZE could mitigate the development of SCM and preserve cardiac function during sepsis possibly by interfering with the renin-angiotensin system through promoting myocardial ACE2 expression and restoring local Ang-(1–7) levels. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40360-022-00584-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoqing Lu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hanyu Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yufan Du
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Guoxing Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Esfahani SH, Karamyan VT. Challenges with the proposed ACE2 activation mechanism of diminazene aceturate. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2022; 49:608-610. [PMID: 35199858 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Hadi Esfahani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas, USA
| | - Vardan T Karamyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas, USA.,Center for Blood Brain Barrier Research, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas, USA
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Rajtik T, Galis P, Bartosova L, Paulis L, Goncalvesova E, Klimas J. Alternative RAS in Various Hypoxic Conditions: From Myocardial Infarction to COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312800. [PMID: 34884604 PMCID: PMC8657827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative branches of the classical renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAS) represent an important cascade in which angiotensin 2 (AngII) undergoes cleavage via the action of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with subsequent production of Ang(1-7) and other related metabolites eliciting its effects via Mas receptor activation. Generally, this branch of the RAS system is described as its non-canonical alternative arm with counterbalancing actions to the classical RAS, conveying vasodilation, anti-inflammatory, anti-remodeling and anti-proliferative effects. The implication of this branch was proposed for many different diseases, ranging from acute cardiovascular conditions, through chronic respiratory diseases to cancer, nonetheless, hypoxia is one of the most prominent common factors discussed in conjugation with the changes in the activity of alternative RAS branches. The aim of this review is to bring complex insights into the mechanisms behind the various forms of hypoxic insults on the activity of alternative RAS branches based on the different duration of stimuli and causes (acute vs. intermittent vs. chronic), localization and tissue (heart vs. vessels vs. lungs) and clinical relevance of studied phenomenon (experimental vs. clinical condition). Moreover, we provide novel insights into the future strategies utilizing the alternative RAS as a diagnostic tool as well as a promising pharmacological target in serious hypoxia-associated cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Rajtik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.G.); (L.B.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +42-12-501-17-391
| | - Peter Galis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.G.); (L.B.); (J.K.)
| | - Linda Bartosova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.G.); (L.B.); (J.K.)
| | - Ludovit Paulis
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Eva Goncalvesova
- Department of Heart Failure, Clinic of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 831 01 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Jan Klimas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia; (P.G.); (L.B.); (J.K.)
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Oz M, Lorke DE, Kabbani N. A comprehensive guide to the pharmacologic regulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 221:107750. [PMID: 33275999 PMCID: PMC7854082 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The recent emergence of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) as a global pandemic has prompted scientists to address an urgent need for defining mechanisms of disease pathology and treatment. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for COVID-19, employs angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as its primary target for cell surface attachment and likely entry into the host cell. Thus, understanding factors that may regulate the expression and function of ACE2 in the healthy and diseased body is critical for clinical intervention. Over 66% of all adults in the United States are currently using a prescription drug and while earlier findings have focused on possible upregulation of ACE2 expression through the use of renin angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, mounting evidence suggests that various other widely administered drugs used in the treatment of hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemias, coagulation disorders, and pulmonary disease may also present a varied risk for COVID-19. Specifically, we summarize mechanisms on how heparin, statins, steroids and phytochemicals, besides their established therapeutic effects, may also interfere with SARS-CoV-2 viral entry into cells. We also describe evidence on the effect of several vitamins, phytochemicals, and naturally occurring compounds on ACE2 expression and activity in various tissues and disease models. This comprehensive review aims to provide a timely compendium on the potential impact of commonly prescribed drugs and pharmacologically active compounds on COVID-19 pathology and risk through regulation of ACE2 and RAS signaling.
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Key Words
- adam17, a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17
- ace, angiotensin i converting enzyme
- ace-inh., angiotensin i converting enzyme inhibitor
- ampk, amp-activated protein kinase
- ang-ii, angiotensin ii
- arb, angiotensin ii type 1-receptor blocker
- ards, acute respiratory distress syndrome
- at1-r, angiotensin ii type 1-receptor
- βarb, β-adrenergic receptor blockers
- bk, bradykinin
- ccb, calcium channel blockers
- ch25h, cholesterol-25-hydroxylase
- copd, chronic obstructive lung disease
- cox, cyclooxygenase
- covid-19, coronavirus disease-2019
- dabk, [des-arg9]-bradykinin
- erk, extracellular signal-regulated kinase
- 25hc, 25-hydroxycholesterol
- hs, heparan sulfate
- hspg, heparan sulfate proteoglycan
- ibd, inflammatory bowel disease
- map, mitogen-activated protein
- mers, middle east respiratory syndrome
- mrb, mineralocorticoid receptor blocker
- nos, nitric oxide synthase
- nsaid, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug
- ras, renin-angiotensin system
- sars-cov, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- sh, spontaneously hypertensive
- s protein, spike protein
- sirt1, sirtuin 1
- t2dm, type 2 diabetes mellitus
- tcm, traditional chinese medicine
- tmprss2, transmembrane protease, serine 2
- tnf, tumor necrosis factor
- ufh, unfractionated heparin
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Oz
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait.
| | - Dietrich Ernst Lorke
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nadine Kabbani
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
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Alipoor SD, Mortaz E, Jamaati H, Tabarsi P, Bayram H, Varahram M, Adcock IM. COVID-19: Molecular and Cellular Response. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:563085. [PMID: 33643932 PMCID: PMC7904902 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.563085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In late December 2019, a vtiral pneumonia with an unknown agent was reported in Wuhan, China. A novel coronavirus was identified as the causative agent. Because of the human-to-human transmission and rapid spread; coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly increased to an epidemic scale and poses a severe threat to human health; it has been declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO). This review aims to summarize the recent research progress of COVID-19 molecular features and immunopathogenesis to provide a reference for further research in prevention and treatment of SARS coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection based on the knowledge from researches on SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamila D. Alipoor
- Molecular Medicine Department, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Mortaz
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Jamaati
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Payam Tabarsi
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hasan Bayram
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Koc University School of Medicine, Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mohammad Varahram
- Mycobacteriology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ian M. Adcock
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London and the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
- Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Disease, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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Garvin AM, Khokhar BS, Czubryt MP, Hale TM. RAS inhibition in resident fibroblast biology. Cell Signal 2020; 80:109903. [PMID: 33370581 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a primary mediator of profibrotic signaling in the heart and more specifically, the cardiac fibroblast. Ang II-mediated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in combination with cardiac fibroblast proliferation, activation, and extracellular matrix production compromise cardiac function and increase mortality in humans. Profibrotic actions of Ang II are mediated by increasing production of fibrogenic mediators (e.g. transforming growth factor beta, scleraxis, osteopontin, and periostin), recruitment of immune cells, and via increased reactive oxygen species generation. Drugs that inhibit Ang II production or action, collectively referred to as renin angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, are first line therapeutics for heart failure. Moreover, transient RAS inhibition has been found to persistently alter hypertensive cardiac fibroblast responses to injury providing a useful tool to identify novel therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the profibrotic actions of Ang II and the known impact of RAS inhibition on cardiac fibroblast phenotype and cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Garvin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Bilal S Khokhar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Michael P Czubryt
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre and Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Taben M Hale
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
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Medina D, Arnold AC. Angiotensin-(1-7): Translational Avenues in Cardiovascular Control. Am J Hypertens 2019; 32:1133-1142. [PMID: 31602467 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpz146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research and numerous treatment approaches, hypertension and cardiovascular disease remain leading global public health problems. A major contributor to regulation of blood pressure, and the development of hypertension, is the renin-angiotensin system. Of particular concern, uncontrolled activation of angiotensin II contributes to hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk, with antihypertensive therapies currently available to block the formation and deleterious actions of this hormone. More recently, angiotensin-(1-7) has emerged as a biologically active intermediate of the vasodilatory arm of the renin-angiotensin system. This hormone antagonizes angiotensin II actions as well as offers antihypertensive, antihypertrophic, antiatherogenic, antiarrhythmogenic, antifibrotic and antithrombotic properties. Angiotensin-(1-7) elicits beneficial cardiovascular actions through mas G protein-coupled receptors, which are found in numerous tissues pivotal to control of blood pressure including the brain, heart, kidneys, and vasculature. Despite accumulating evidence for favorable effects of angiotensin-(1-7) in animal models, there is a paucity of clinical studies and pharmacokinetic limitations, thus limiting the development of therapeutic agents to better understand cardiovascular actions of this vasodilatory peptide hormone in humans. This review highlights current knowledge on the role of angiotensin-(1-7) in cardiovascular control, with an emphasis on significant animal, human, and therapeutic research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Medina
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amy C Arnold
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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