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Aspects of gene polymorphisms in cardiovascular disease: the renin-angiotensin system
M Carluccio1, M Soccio, R De Caterina
1Laboratory for Thrombosis and Vascular Research, CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy.
Insights
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is crucial for cardiovascular health. Inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) improves outcomes in heart conditions, and genetics may influence these effects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates cardiovascular homeostasis through angiotensin.
- Angiotensin affects heart and blood vessels via hemodynamic and cellular pathways.
- Pharmacological inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) benefits cardiovascular disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological characteristics of the RAS.
- To discuss recent research on angiotensin's cell biology and pathobiology in heart disease.
- To explore the genetic aspects of RAS and their cardiovascular implications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of physiological characteristics of the RAS.
- Synthesis of recent research on angiotensin cell biology and pathobiology.
- Analysis of genetic factors influencing RAS in cardiovascular disease.
Main Results:
- RAS is central to cardiovascular homeostasis and risk.
- ACE inhibition improves outcomes in hypertension, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease.
- Genetic variations in RAS modulate angiotensin's effects on coronary vascular biology and ischemia.
Conclusions:
- The RAS is a key determinant of cardiovascular risk.
- Genetic factors play a role in modulating RAS activity and its impact on cardiovascular health.
- Understanding RAS genetics is vital for managing cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract:
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a central role in cardiovascular homeostasis. Angiotensin is the key peptide of the RAS, and exerts its influence on the heart and blood vessels both through its haemodynamic effects (via its influence on after-load and pre-load and determining coronary vasoconstriction) and through its direct cellular effects (via its actions on cell proliferation). Numerous studies in the past 10 years have demonstrated that the pharmacological inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), one of the two critical enzymes of the RAS, improves the outcome in patients with several cardiovascular disorders (hypertension, heart failure, ischaemic heart disease). These studies suggest a role of the RAS as a major determinant of cardiovascular risk. Recent data suggest that genetics may in turn contribute to modulating the effects of angiotensin on coronary vascular biology and ischaemia. This paper reviews the physiologic characteristics of the RAS and recent research developments related to angiotensin cell biology and pathobiology in heart disease. In particular, this review will cover the genetic aspects of RAS and their implications in cardiovascular disease.