Local adipose tissue renin-angiotensin system.

A local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been proposed in adipocytes. Adipocytes are a suggested source of components of the RAS, with regulation of their production related to obesity-hypertension. Both angiotensin type 1 and 2 receptors have been localized to adipocytes. Angiotensin II has been demonstrated to regulate adipocyte growth and differentiation, lipid metabolism, and expression and release of adipokines and RAS components, and to promote oxidative stress. Differences in regional expression of RAS components in visceral versus subcutaneous adipose tissue have been suggested as a link between abdominal obesity and cardiovascular disease. Finally, several studies support antihypertensive efficacy of RAS blockade in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Future studies should address the role of adipocyte-specific deficiency of RAS components to definitively determine the relevance of the adipose RAS to normal physiology and to the development of hypertension.