[Angiotensin II receptor and oxidative stress]

Angiotensin II(AngII) activates NADH/NAPDH oxidase activity and stimulates reactive oxygen species(ROS) production, which induces many proinflammatory genes such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) mainly via AngII type I receptor(AT1). ROS are important in cardiovascular disease because many of these preinflammatory cytokines play a critical role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. AT1 receptor blockade is important to prevent cardiovascular disease. AngII type 1 receptor blocker(ARB) and/or AngII converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI) are useful for preventing cardiovascular disease. The role of AngII type II receptor(AT2) for producing ROS and/or cardiovascular damage has been studied.