Role of brain renin-angiotensin system in the regulation of cerebral circulation and ischaemia
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abstract
Multiple lines of evidence support the existence and functional integration of a separate and distinct renin-angiotensin system (RAS) within the brain. All components of the angiotensin system, including angiotensin receptors, have been identified in the brain, where an intraneuronal location suggests a neurotransmitter or modulator role. In specific brain areas, the RAS appears to influence blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular homeostasis, as well as thirst and salt appetite. The contribution of an intrinsic brain RAS to cerebral function, cerebral blood flow autoregulation and ischaemia is receiving widespread attention. As a mediator of cellular growth, angiotensin-II may have unique function on carotid vascular structure and cerebral circulation. Furthermore, angiotensin-II has been demonstrated to play a potential role in the dysfunction of regulation of cerebral blood flow as well as ischaemic brain injury. Thus, elucidation of the precise mechanisms of cerebral ischaemia may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for ischaemic brain injury and improvement in our understanding of the homeostasis of cerebral circulation.
