Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) can regulate blood pressure in the body by lysing angiotensin I to produce angiotensin II, and in the brain, ACE is particularly abundant in striatum tissue, but the function of ACE in the striatum circuit is still poorly understood by researchers.
Recently, in a research report published in the international journal Science entitled "Angiotensin-converting enzyme gates brain circuit–specific plasticity via an endogenous opioid", scientists from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and other institutions have found that blood pressure drugs may have unexpected effects on the body's brain.
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The researchers found that drugs used to treat high blood pressure may unexpectedly increase the effects of opioids produced by the brain in its natural state, which may fine-tune the function of specific brain circuits and counteract the addictiveness of opioids such as fentanyl for pain. Researcher Patrick Rothwell says our findings reveal a novel strategy that may promote opioid signaling pathways in the brain in a protective and beneficial way, while having a lower risk of dependence or addiction.
The researchers focused on ACE, which has long been thought to regulate blood pressure in the body, but scientists know very little about its specific function in the brain. Based on the results of this paper, the next step is for researchers to continue to study ACE inhibitors, a class of safe drugs used to control blood pressure in the body, which may be potentially redesigned to help treat brain diseases.
Image source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl5130
The research program was led by researcher Brian Trieu, who collaborated to develop a new ACE inhibitor designed to optimize the effects of the inhibitor on large functions. In summary, the results of this paper raise a very attractive prospect that central ACE inhibitors may enhance the transmission of endogenous opioid signals, so that patients can obtain certain clinical benefits and reduce the risk of addiction in the body.
Original source:
BRIAN H. TRIEU，XBAILEY C. REMMERS，CARLEE TODDES, et al. Angiotensin-converting enzyme gates brain circuit-specific plasticity via an endogenous opioid, Science (2022). DOI:10.1126/science.abl5130