Bradykinin impact

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) plays a central role in cardiovascular hemostasis. Its major function is the generation of angiotensin (ANG) II from ANGI and the degradation of bradykinin. Both peptides have profound impact on the cardiovascular system and beyond. ACE inhibitors are used to decrease blood pressure in hypertensive patients, to improve cardiac function, and to reduce work load of the heart in patients with cardiac failure. 

The substrate specificity of ACE is low. ACE cleaves a variety of pairs of amino acids from the carboxy-terminal part of several peptide substrates. The conversion of ANGI to ANGII and the degradation of bradykinin to inactive fragments are considered the most important functions of ACE. Both peptides have profound impact on the cardiovascular system and beyond. ACE is thus an important target for ACE inhibitors. These compounds are frequently and efficiently used in the treatment of hypertension and cardiac failure. 

Cholesterol enriched VSMC (foam cells) synthesize less eicosanoid, and thus are not as responsive to the cholesterol efflux effects of HDL. EC synthesize PGI2 in response to thrombin, bradykinin, leukotrienes, kallikreins, immune complexes, complement complexes, histamine, serotonin, and All (72). Thus, EC themselves can modulate the production of factors that impact on the atherosclerotic process. 

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