Role of the local renin-angiotensin system in the autoregulation of the cerebral circulation.

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) shifts the limits of cerebral blood flow autoregulation toward lower blood pressure values. This effect seems to be mediated by blocking the formation of angiotensin II on the luminal side of the larger cerebral resistance vessels. Baseline cerebral blood flow (the flow within the autoregulatory limits) is not changed by acute or chronic ACE inhibition. An interaction between the vascular reninangiotensin and the sympathetic nervous system is present. Activation of the latter inhibits the downwards shift of the upper limit of autoregulation following ACE inhibition.