Angiotensin inhibition and longevity: a question of hydration

Abstract

With the advancement of medical and investigative science, it is somewhat surprising that although it is possible to stabilise medical patients with hypertension and the associated kidney dysfunction, obesity, diabetes and even cancer, there is still no clear method of significantly reducing these chronic disease pathologies, and thus, extending life expectancy. There is one hormone common to these pathologies, the antagonism of which goes some way to clinical improvements, and this is angiotensin, which is released during hypovolaemia. Angiotensin antagonists are used to treat many of these pathologies, and it has been shown in the obesity literature that angiotensin antagonists decrease weight, but also increase the drinking of water. Increased cellular hydration, and hence, improved mitochondrial metabolism could be one of the mechanisms for the reduction in weight seen in these studies, as well as for reducing the other pathologies, all showing metabolic dysfunction. It appears that the application of straightforward physiological regulation might be an appropriate medical approach to the prevention of hypertension, kidney disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer, and thus, to an increased life expectancy.

Hydration, dehydration, underhydration, optimal hydration: are we barking up the wrong tree?

“…Of course, the topic of hydration and health is new and under researched [27]. At this point, we probably have more questions than answers and theories on potential mechanisms associating low water intake with various unexplored pathologies, including cancer and longevity [28,29]. However, it is time to concentrate our efforts on the health implications of being a low-drinker rather than examining the acute effects of dehydration (water deficit).…”

Hydration, fluid regulation and the eye: in health and disease

“…The RAAS is activated in dehydration, particularly extracellular dehydration; chronic systemic dehydration has been implicated in several pathological disease states . Furthermore, increased use of RAAS antagonists to treat several chronic diseases, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes, may suggest that dehydration, especially extracellular dehydration or hypovolaemia, may play a role in the pathogenesis or progression of these diseases . Increasing evidence suggests that chronic, systemic dehydration commences early in life and that children adapt to this mildly dehydrated state for the rest of their life course.…”

“…9,17 Furthermore, increased use of RAAS antagonists to treat several chronic diseases, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes, may suggest that dehydration, especially extracellular dehydration or hypovolaemia, may play a role in the pathogenesis or progression of these diseases. 18,19 Increasing evidence suggests that chronic, systemic dehydration commences early in life [20][21][22] and that children adapt to this mildly dehydrated state for the rest of their life course. Voluntary drinking of water is a key behaviour for maintaining water balance though access to water is strongly influenced by environmental and socioeconomic factors (as reviewed in McCauley et al 23 ).…”

Influence of age and sex on the pressor response following a spontaneous burst of muscle sympathetic nerve activity

“…The underlying mechanisms for this increased risk and differential age effect in men and women remain incompletely understood. Although structural (25,36) and hormonal (43,44,49) factors likely contribute, an agerelated increase in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) has also been implicated as a key factor (20,28,29). The sympathetic nervous system and its ability to modulate vascular tone are paramount for the regulation of arterial blood pressure (BP).…”