| Abstract | PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review is intended to provide an update of the impact of the renin-angiotensin system on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and of its relationship with adipose-tissue and skeletal muscle activities. RECENT FINDINGS: The components of the renin-angiotensin system are fully represented in the adipose tissue and appear to be upregulated in obesity--a condition associated with enhanced circulating angiotensinogen levels. The local renin-angiotensin system plays a role in adipocyte differentiation and possibly in body-fat accumulation. In humans, angiotensin II produced by mature adipocytes appears to inhibit the differentiation of adipocyte precursors, thus decreasing the percentage of small insulin-sensitive adipocytes. In turn, the lipid-storage capacity of adipose tissue could become reduced and triglycerides might accumulate in liver and skeletal muscle, contributing to insulin resistance. Randomized controlled trials indicating that pharmacological renin-angiotensin system blockade improves insulin sensitivity and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes are in keeping with this possibility. The local renin-angiotensin system in skeletal muscle may affect exercise performance and the individual response to different types of muscular performance. The concept that the local renin-angiotensin system plays a role in body-fat storage and in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism is further supported by genetic studies showing that susceptibility to weight gain and possibly insulin resistance is greater in individuals carrying certain renin-angiotensin system allelic variants associated with alterations in systemic and local angiotensinogen levels and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. SUMMARY: In summary, the aforementioned data imply that the renin-angiotensin system plays a substantial role in obesity, insulin resistance and the associated increase in blood pressure. |
| Authors | Pasquale Strazzullo, Ferruccio Galletti
(Affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy. straazzul at unina.it)
|
| Journal | Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension
(Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens)
Vol. 13
Issue 3
Pg. 325-32
(May 2004)
ISSN: 1062-4821 England |
| PMID | 15073492
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
|
| Chemical References |
- Dietary Carbohydrates
- Dietary Fats
|
| Topics |
- Adipose Tissue
(metabolism)
- Dietary Carbohydrates
(metabolism)
- Dietary Fats
(metabolism)
- Humans
- Hypertension
(etiology)
- Insulin Resistance
- Muscle, Skeletal
(metabolism)
- Obesity
(etiology, metabolism)
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- Renin-Angiotensin System
|
