Effect of angiotensin II on pulse wave velocity in humans is mediated through angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin II type 1 (AT 1 ) receptor blockade on pulse wave velocity (PWV) in healthy humans. We studied nine young male volunteers in a double-blind randomised crossover design. Carotidfemoral PWV (an index of arterial stiffness) was measured by using a Complior  machine. Subjects were previously treated for 3 days with once-daily dose of either a placebo or valsartan 80 mg. On the third day, they were infused with either placebo or 5 ng/kg/min of Ang II over 30 min. Subjects thus received placebo capsule + placebo infusion (P), valsartan + placebo infusion (V), placebo + Ang II infusion (A), and valsartan + Ang II infusion (VA) combinations. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure and PWV were recorded at baseline and then every 10 min during infusion and once after the end of infusion. There were significant increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) with A compared with

Angiotensin receptor blockade in the challenging era of systolic hypertension

“…50 Clinical and experimental studies suggest that the reninangiotensin system may act on the geometry and stiffness of the large artery wall. 44 In a recent review of factors influencing arterial stiffness, Safar and Benetos 44 suggested that the effects of the renin-angiotensin system may clarify several aspects of the pathophysiology of hypertension in the elderly.…”

“…The authors concluded that the advantageous haemodynamic effects of the ACE inhibitor/diuretic combination reflect changes of wave reflections issued from distal arterial and arteriolar territory, where the ACE inhibitors are known to improve vessel wall structure. 67 Further to the important local actions of angiotensin II on arterial stiffness via the AT 1 receptor, 50 there are additional reasons to believe that blocking of the renin-angiotensin system using angiotensin AT 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) can regulate vascular function. The ARB irbesartan has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory properties in patients with early 68 or advanced atherosclerosis, 69 whereas candesartan has also been shown to reduce inflammatory cytokines and to reverse endothelial dysfunction.…”

“…[54][55][56][57] Studies using measurements of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity also demonstrated improvement of arterial stiffness with ARBs. 50,54,71,72 More importantly, these beneficial effects of ARBs on the large artery wall appear to be independent of their effects on BP. 50,71,72 One small randomized study showed that, for the same BP reduction, an ARB might be more efficacious than a diuretic in decreasing arterial stiffness and arterial wave reflection.…”

“…50,54,71,72 More importantly, these beneficial effects of ARBs on the large artery wall appear to be independent of their effects on BP. 50,71,72 One small randomized study showed that, for the same BP reduction, an ARB might be more efficacious than a diuretic in decreasing arterial stiffness and arterial wave reflection. 73 A study in hypertensive subjects showed an ACE inhibitor to be superior to an ARB or a calcium antagonist in decreasing pulse wave velocity, 74 whereas another study in elderly hypertensives demonstrated greater reductions in pulse pressure and pulse wave velocity with an ARB compared to an ACE inhibitor or a calcium antagonist.…”

Cardiovascular prevention: relationships between arterial aging and chronic drug treatment

“…12 These findings in relation to the thiazide diuretics and the angiotensin II blockers are novel. [13][14][15] Thiazide diuretics have different pharmacologic properties that may affect arterial aging. Indeed, the increase in arterial stiffness with thiazide use might be linked by the calcium metabolism.…”