Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is primarily localized (> 90%) in various tissues and organs, most notably within the endothelium. This localized ACE, known as tissue ACE, is now recognized as a key factor in cardiovascular and renal disease. ACE activation, in response to a number of risk factors or injury, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolaemia, cigarette smoking, acute ischaemia and heart failure, has deleterious effects on the heart, vasculature and the kidneys. Furthermore, local ACE activation contributes to endothelial dysfunction, a condition in which the balance between vasodilation and vasoconstriction, vascular smooth muscle cell growth, and the inflammatory and oxidative state of the vessel wall is disrupted. These effects are mediated through increased local formation of angiotensin II and decreased bradykinin (BK) formation. Thus, the selective inhibition of tissue ACE favourably modifies the underlying pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease...
CARDIOPROTECTION WITH ACE INHIBITORS: NON-ANGIOTENSIN II-RELATED MECHANISMS
FERRARI, Roberto;G. Guardigli;CECONI, Claudio
2000
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is primarily localized (> 90%) in various tissues and organs, most notably within the endothelium. This localized ACE, known as tissue ACE, is now recognized as a key factor in cardiovascular and renal disease. ACE activation, in response to a number of risk factors or injury, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolaemia, cigarette smoking, acute ischaemia and heart failure, has deleterious effects on the heart, vasculature and the kidneys. Furthermore, local ACE activation contributes to endothelial dysfunction, a condition in which the balance between vasodilation and vasoconstriction, vascular smooth muscle cell growth, and the inflammatory and oxidative state of the vessel wall is disrupted. These effects are mediated through increased local formation of angiotensin II and decreased bradykinin (BK) formation. Thus, the selective inhibition of tissue ACE favourably modifies the underlying pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease...I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
