Effect of renin-angiotensin system on senescence

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates blood pressure and sodium balance.
• RAS activation, particularly the ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis, contributes to cellular senescence and organ dysfunction via reactive oxygen species.
• Dysfunction in vasculature, brain, kidney, and skeletal muscle is linked to RAS overactivation, causing diseases like atherosclerosis, stroke, CKD, and sarcopenia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of RAS on age-related tissue dysfunction.
• To explore both the detrimental effects of the classical RAS axis and the protective roles of the ACE2/Ang (1-7)/Mas axis.
• To examine RAS's influence on lifespan, referencing gene-modification models.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on RAS and aging.
• Analysis of gene-modification models, including mice lacking the Ang II type 1 receptor.
• Examination of organ-specific effects of RAS activation and inhibition.

Main Results:

• Overactivation of the ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis promotes senescence and organ damage.
• Mice lacking the Ang II type 1 receptor demonstrated increased lifespan compared to controls.
• The ACE2/Ang (1-7)/Mas axis exhibits protective functions against age-related dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• RAS significantly influences age-related tissue dysfunction and lifespan.
• Targeting the classical RAS axis may mitigate age-related diseases.
• The ACE2/Ang (1-7)/Mas axis represents a potential therapeutic target for promoting healthy aging.