Abstract
The RAS (renin-angiotensin system) is the part of the endocrine system that plays a prime role in the control of essential hypertension. Since the discovery of brain RAS in the seventies, continuous efforts have been put by the scientific committee to explore it more. The brain has shown the presence of various components of brain RAS such as angiotensinogen (AGT), converting enzymes, angiotensin (Ang), and specific receptors (ATR). AGT acts as the precursor molecule for Ang peptides—I, II, III, and IV—while the enzymes such as prorenin, ACE, and aminopeptidases A and N synthesize it. AT1, AT2, AT4, and mitochondrial assembly receptor (MasR) are found to be plentiful in the brain. The brain RAS system exhibits pleiotropic properties such as neuroprotection and cognition along with regulation of blood pressure, CVS homeostasis, thirst and salt appetite, stress, depression, alcohol addiction, and pain modulation. The molecules acting through RAS predominantly ARBs and ACEI are found to be effective in various ongoing and completed clinical trials related to cognition, memory, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and pain. The review summarizes the recent advances in the brain RAS system highlighting its significance in pathophysiology and treatment of the central nervous system-related disorders.
Highlights
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is of paramount importance, having a role in the regulatory pathway involved in the maintenance of blood pressure (BP), body fluid volume, and sodium homeostasis
It is very well established that brain RAS plays a crucial role in CNScontrolled cardiovascular function, thirst, and maintenance of sodium level; it exhibits a prominent role in CNS itself
angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor agonists and angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonists play a crucial role in cerebral protection
Summary
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is of paramount importance, having a role in the regulatory pathway involved in the maintenance of blood pressure (BP), body fluid volume, and sodium homeostasis. Conventional RAS involves the conversion of inactive angiotensinogen into angiotensin I (Ang I) in the presence of renin which is released from the kidney in response to low blood volume. Angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) converts Ang I into angiotensin II (Ang II) which acts on an angiotensin type 1 (AT1) and angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor. AT1 and AT2 are involved in various physiological changes such as an increase in BP, volume overload, and facilitation of aldosterone release. Intrinsic brain RAS is an enzyme-neuropeptide system having functional components (angiotensinogen, peptidases, angiotensin, and specific receptor proteins) with important biological and neurobiological activities in the brain
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
