Synonyms
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
Definition
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) plays a central role in cardiovascular hemostasis. Its major function is the generation of angiotensin (ANG) II from ANG I 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.
Mechanism of Action
ACE inhibitors inhibit the enzymatic activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). This enzyme cleaves a variety of pairs of amino acids from the carboxy-terminal part of several peptide substrates. The conversion of ANG I to ANG II and the degradation of bradykinin to inactive fragments are considered the most important functions of ACE [1–3]. ACE inhibitors are nonpeptide analogues of ANG I. They bind tightly to the active sites of ACE, where they complex with a...
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References
Bader M, Paul M, Fernandesz-Alfonso M et al (1994) Molecular biology and biochemistry of the renin-angiotensin system, Chap. 11. In: Swales JD (ed) Textbook of hypertension. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, London, Edinburgh, pp 214–232
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© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York
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Peters, J. (2008). ACE Inhibitors. In: Offermanns, S., Rosenthal, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Molecular Pharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38918-7_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38918-7_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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