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Published on: September 28, 2015
The role of angiotensin II in hypertension and end-organ damage
1Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Insights
Antihypertensive treatments targeting the Angiotensin II (Ang II) system reduce blood pressure and decrease Ang II-driven cardiovascular remodeling. New Ang II-receptor antagonists offer expanded therapeutic options for hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- High blood pressure and Angiotensin II (Ang II) local effects significantly contribute to cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding the dual role of Ang II in hypertension is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the benefits of antihypertensive treatments interfering with the Ang II regulatory system.
- To highlight the impact of Ang II-receptor antagonists in managing hypertension-related conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antihypertensive therapies targeting the Ang II system.
- Analysis of the mechanisms by which Ang II influences cardiovascular health and disease.
Main Results:
- Antihypertensive treatment reduces blood pressure, mitigating vascular stress and wall tension.
- Interference with the Ang II system effectively decreases Ang II-mediated cardiovascular remodeling.
- Specific Ang II-receptor antagonists like losartan and valsartan provide new therapeutic avenues.
Conclusions:
- Targeting the Ang II system offers a dual benefit in managing hypertension: blood pressure reduction and prevention of vascular remodeling.
- The development of Ang II-receptor antagonists represents a significant advancement in treating hypertension and associated cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract:
Both high blood pressure and the local effects from Ang II contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. From all these effects, it is clear that antihypertensive treatment by interfering with the Ang II regulatory system has two benefits: It leads to a reduction of blood pressure per se, with the positive effects of reducing stress, turbulence and stretch of the vascular wall. It decreases Ang II-mediated responses involved in cardiovascular remodelling. The recent emergence of several specific Ang II-receptor antagonists such as losartan or valsartan has considerably widened the therapeutic options available for the treatment of hypertension-related diseases.
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