Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important regulator of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. As hepatic fibrosis progresses, levels of the RAS components angiotensin (Ang) II, Ang-(1–7), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) are increased. The primary effector Ang II regulates vasoconstriction, sodium homoeostasis, fibrosis, cell proliferation, and inflammation in various diseases, including liver cirrhosis, through the ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis in the classical RAS. The ACE2/Ang-(1–7)/Mas receptor and ACE2/Ang-(1–9)/ AT2R axes make up the alternative RAS and promote vasodilation, antigrowth, proapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects; thus, countering the effects of the classical RAS axis to reduce hepatic fibrogenesis and portal hypertension. Patients with portal hypertension have been treated with RAS antagonists such as ACE inhibitors, Ang receptor blockers, and aldosterone antagonists, with very promising hemodynamic results. In this review, we examine the RAS, its roles in hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension, and current therapeutic approaches based on the use of RAS antagonists in patients with portal hypertension.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 453-461 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Korean Journal of Internal Medicine |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 May |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by a research grant from Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine (YUW-CM-2008-22), a grant from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project, through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (HI15C2364, HI17C1365), and from the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2017R1D1A1A02019212, -2017R1A2B4009199, and -2017R1A5A2015369).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Internal Medicine