Paul M, Ganten D
German Institute for High Blood Pressure Research, University of Heidelberg.
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1992;19 Suppl 5:S51-8.
Factors that can influence cardiovascular growth are becoming increasingly important for our understanding of such complex diseases as cardiac hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Several proto-oncogenes were found to be involved in the regulation of abnormal cell growth in cardiovascular disease. It is also evident that some peptide hormones, which are well known to be involved in blood pressure control, may play a role as growth modulators. Angiotensin II is one such peptide. It elevates blood pressure through its direct vasoconstrictor, sympathomimetic, and (through release of aldosterone) sodium-retaining activity but also appears to have mitogenic actions. Interestingly, all components of the renin-angiotensin system were found locally in cardiovascular tissues. The question remains whether angiotensin can act directly as a growth factor or whether it does so indirectly by influencing or modulating cell growth factors. A better understanding of the renin-angiotensin system as a direct or indirect mediator for cardiovascular hypertrophy would offer new and interesting insights into the pathophysiology of hypertension and possibly novel options for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
对于我们理解诸如心脏肥大、冠状动脉疾病、动脉粥样硬化和高血压等复杂疾病而言，能够影响心血管生长的因素正变得愈发重要。人们发现，一些原癌基因参与了心血管疾病中异常细胞生长的调控。同样明显的是，一些众所周知参与血压控制的肽类激素，可能作为生长调节剂发挥作用。血管紧张素II就是这样一种肽。它通过其直接的血管收缩、拟交感神经作用以及（通过醛固酮的释放）保钠活性来升高血压，但似乎也具有促有丝分裂作用。有趣的是，肾素-血管紧张素系统的所有组分都在心血管组织中局部存在。问题仍然是，血管紧张素是能直接作为生长因子起作用，还是通过影响或调节细胞生长因子而间接起作用。更好地理解肾素-血管紧张素系统作为心血管肥大的直接或间接介质，将为高血压的病理生理学提供新的有趣见解，并可能为心血管疾病的治疗提供新的选择。
