Skeletal Muscle System

Abstract

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a critical role in skeletal muscle biology. Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) has beneficial effects in skeletal muscle biology and disease. During exercise, Ang-(1-7) can modulate different organs helping to prevent and treat diseases such as chronic heart failure and diabetes. In skeletal muscle diseases, it has been found that Ang-(1-7) plays a protective role, counteracting the deleterious effects of angiotensin II (Ang-II) and transforming growth factor type beta (TGF-β), improving muscle function, and reducing fibrosis and inflammation. Ang-(1-7) and Mas receptor antagonists have a tremendous potential for the treatment of different muscle pathologies such as muscular dystrophies and skeletal muscle wasting.