Peptides. 2021 Dec 29;150:170733. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170733. Epub 2021 Dec 29.
The renin-angiotensin system and cardiovascular autonomic control in aging.
Peptides
Amanda J Miller, Amy C Arnold
Affiliations
Affiliations
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 34973286
DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170733
Abstract
Aging is the greatest independent risk factor for developing hypertension and cardiovascular-related diseases including systolic hypertension, vascular disease, ischemic events, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Age-related cardiovascular risk is associated with dysfunction of peripheral organ systems, such as the heart and vasculature, as well as an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system characterized by increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic neurotransmission. Given the increasing prevalence of aged individuals worldwide, it is critical to better understand mechanisms contributing to impaired cardiovascular autonomic control in this population. In this regard, the renin-angiotensin system has emerged as an important hormonal modulator of cardiovascular function in aging, in part through modulation of autonomic pathways controlling sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow to cardiovascular end organs. This review will summarize the role of the RAS in cardiovascular autonomic control during aging, with a focus on current knowledge of angiotensin II versus angiotensin-(1-7) pathways in both rodent models and humans, pharmacological treatment strategies targeting the renin-angiotensin system, and unanswered questions for future research.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Angiotensin; Blood pressure; Parasympathetic; Sympathetic
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