The angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2),gut microbiota,and cardiovascular health

Background: the renin-angiotensin system (ras) is an important enzymatic system responsible for the regulation of biological functions,such as the arterial pressure,hydroelectrolytic control,vascular vasodilatation/vasoconstriction and more recently metabolic functions. objectives: the aim of the present review is to discuss the associations between the gut microbiome and the renin-angiotensin system and the influence of their intimate relationship on the cardiovascular health. methods: a literature review of the main studies published regarding the relationship among the renin-angiotensin system,gut microbiota and cardiovascular health was performed. results: the association between the ace2 and gut microbiota has been discussed. it is shown that the ace2/ang 1-7 axis modulates the immune response,influencing the microbiota composition,and thus being one of the causes for some diseases physiophatologies,such as diarrhea and intestinal inflammatory disease. conclusion: the association between ras and gut microbiota seems to have a strong influence on the genesis of cardiovascular diseases,through direct mechanisms,such as nerve stimulation,or indirectly on metabolic parameters,such as weight,adiposity and lipid profile. © 2017 bentham science publishers.