[Inflammation and atherosclerosis: the role of Renin-Angiotensin system and its inhibition].

The last studies show the renin angiotensin aldosterone system plays an important role in atherosclerotic processes. Vasoconstriction and sodium and water retention, due to angiotensin II and aldosterone promote atherosclerotic processes. Theres recent evidence from animal and clinical studies to consider angiotensin II as a mediator of inflammation, which induces atherosclerotic plaque development and heart remodeling. Also angiotensin II causes endothelial dysfunction by inducing cytokine and chemokine secretion. The pharmacological blockade of the renin angiotensin system has positive influence on clinical outcomes of patients with cardiovascular diseases independently of the blood pressure lowering effect. This review summarizes studies about the role of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARA) and renin inhibitors in vascular inflammatory processes in atherosclerosis.