Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of vascular disease worldwide and contributes significantly to deaths from cardiovascular complications. There is a remarkably close relationship between atherosclerotic plaque formation and the activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS). However, depending on which RAS pathway is activated, pro‐ or anti-atherogenic outcomes may be observed. This brief review focuses on the role of three of the most important pieces of RAS axis, angiotensin II (Ang-II), angiotensin converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2), and angiotensin 1–7 (Ang-1–7) and their involvement in atherosclerosis. We focused on the effects of these molecules on vascular function and inflammation, which are important determinants of atherogenesis. Furthermore, we highlighted potential pharmacological approaches to treat this disorder.
Highlights
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of adult death worldwide (Herrington et al, 2016)
Along with the classic cascade in renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which involves the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I (Ang-I) by renin, followed by its cleavage to angiotensin II (Ang-II) by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), other peptides and enzymes related to RAS are important in atherogenesis (Figure 1; Montezano et al, 2014)
Considering that, this review is devoted to summarize the effects of Ang-II, angiotensin converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2), and angiotensin 1–7 (Ang-1–7) in atherosclerosis, highlighting the promising interventions that could lead to RAS modulation and atherosclerosis treatment
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of adult death worldwide (Herrington et al, 2016). Along with the classic cascade in RAS, which involves the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I (Ang-I) by renin, followed by its cleavage to angiotensin II (Ang-II) by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), other peptides and enzymes related to RAS are important in atherogenesis (Figure 1; Montezano et al, 2014). In this context, we highlight the role of the angiotensin converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2), which is typically responsible to form angiotensin 1–7 (Ang-1–7) from Ang-II. Considering that, this review is devoted to summarize the effects of Ang-II, ACE2, and Ang-1–7 in atherosclerosis, highlighting the promising interventions that could lead to RAS modulation and atherosclerosis treatment
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