Physical exercise and ACE2-angiotensin-(1-7)-mas receptor axis of the renin angiotensin system

Background: many physiological responses of the renin angiotensin system (ras) are associated with two opposite pathways: (1) a classical one formed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ace),angiotensin ii (ang ii) and angiotensin type 1 (at1) receptor,which is associated to vasoconstriction,cell proliferation,organ hypertrophy,sodium retention and aldosterone release and (2) a counter-regulatory or vasodilator pathway comprising angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ace2),angiotensin-(1-7) [ang-(1-7)] and mas receptor,which is involved in vasodilation,antiproliferation,anti-hypertrophy,cardioprotective and renoprotective actions. objective: this review aimed to bring up-to-date on the interactions between physical exercise and the vasodilator axis of the ras (ace2-ang-(1-7)-mas receptor axis). we also investigated the relation of acute and chronic exercise with blood pressure regulation and components of the vasodilator axis of the ras. methods: we searched studies with animal models and humans in pubmed,lilacs and ibecs. results: experimental studies showed that physical training can stimulate ace2-ang-(1-7)-mas receptor axis in parallel with the inhibition of ace-ang ii-at1 receptor pathway. however,up to now,the interaction between the counter-regulatory ras axis and physical training is not investigated in humans. conclusion: the activation of ace2-ang-(1-7)-mas receptor axis may have a role in the beneficial effects of physical training in experimental models. further studies with humans are necessary. © 2017 bentham science publishers.