Does activation of the central renin-angiotensin system cause local cerebrovascular dysfunction in a preclinical model of hypertension?
Activation of the central renin-angiotensin system impairs brain endothelial signaling, suggesting a common mechanism for vascular dysfunction in hypertension, aging, and other diseases.
These findings suggest activation of the central and cerebrovascular RAS impairs endothelial (nitric oxide dependent) signaling in brain through expression and activation of AT1R and sex-dependent effects. The central RAS may be a key contributor to vascular dysfunction in brain in a preclinical (low renin) model of hypertension. Because the brain RAS is also activated during aging and other diseases, a common mechanism may promote loss of endothelial and brain health despite diverse cause.
Silva et al. (Thu,) studied this question.