Angiotensin-II, the brain, and hypertension: An update

Abstract

Great strides have been made in recent years to advance our understanding of Ang-II actions in the brain in mediating neurogenic hypertension. It is now evident that peripherally and locally generated Ang-II promote a hypertensive state through influences on redox, ER, inflammatory, and transcription factor pathways in the brain (Figure). However, an integrated and complete understanding of these pathological processes is still lacking. Moving forward, novel approaches and techniques will be necessary to further our understanding of Ang-II, the brain, and hypertension, such as intricate neural network analyses, temporal evaluations of signaling pathways, and integration of CNS molecular processes with physiological end points. Moreover, although much has been learned fromexperimental animal models of hypertension, we must continue to ask whether Ang-II-mediated brain mechanisms actin the same manner in human hypertension.