Linking Players In Blood Pressure Control To Metabolic Syndrome

Here's an interesting article I found, albeit a bit complicated! But I thought it was interesting research and looks like the drugs used to control blood pressure will also assist in reducing the risk of other diseases. Good news.

Article Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/90780.php

A new study elucidates the connection between an enzyme involved in blood pressure control and symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. The researchers report in the December issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press, that mice lacking the enzyme known as renin are lean and resistant to gaining weight on a high-fat diet, even though they continue to eat just as much and don't exercise more.

The findings suggest that renin-blocking drugs designed for treating high blood pressure might also improve obesity and insulin resistance, according to the researchers. Renin plays an important rate-limiting role in the production of a hormone called angiotensin II (Ang II) that increases blood pressure by constricting blood vessels.

"An overactive renin-angiotensin system has also been associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome," said Nobuyuki Takahashi of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.