Angiotensin 1-7 as the possible universal panacea of human systemic diseases And potentially the best anti-aging molecule of human body

Abstract

Abstract: The recent advances in the immunobiological knowledges have shown that the immune system is not involved in the only defence against infections and tumours, but also in the regulation of cardiovascular, endocrine, and nervous functions. Moreover, the activity of the immune system mainly depends on the cytokine network. However, most cytokines play an inflammatory action, with a consequent unbalance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. Then, the prevalent inflammatory action of cytokines is counterbalanced by an anti-inflammatory neuroendocrine central system, mainly mediated by the pineal gland, cannabinoid system, and ACE2-angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7). In fact, the pineal hormone melatonin (MLT), the cannabinoid agents, and Ang 1-7, produced by the enzymatic activity of ACE2 on angiotensin II (Ang II), have appeared to exert an anti-inflammatory activity due to the inhibition of the secretion of several inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, their anti-inflammatory activity is constantly associated with an antitumoral action, by constituting a fundamental anti-inflammatory anticancer functional system. One of the main connections between cytokine network and neuroendocrine system would be IL-17, which has appeared to inhibit Ang 1-7 secretion and to stimulate that of Ang II, and whose secretion may be inhibited by MLT, cannabinoids and Ang 1-7 itself. Most human systemic inflammatory diseases have appeared to present an endogenous Ang 1-7 deficiency. In addition, aging itself is characterized by a progressive decline in the secretion of both pineal hormone MLT and Ang 1-7. Therefore, because of their anti-inflammatory anticancer activity, the progressive decline in MLT and Ang1-7 production may explain age-related increase in the incidence of tumours and other systemic pathologies. Moreover, Ang 1-7 deficiency has been shown to be associated with a concomitant enhanced production of Ang II, which exerts hypertensive, inflammatory, protumoral, pro-thrombotic and profibrotic effects, being responsible for several biological damages. Then, a substitutive treatment with MLT and Ang 1-7 might opposite age-related human diseases and counteract aging itself. Both MLT and Ang 1-7 have appeared to exert anti-aging antioxidant anti-inflammatory effects. However, the anti-aging biological properties of Ang 1-7 would be superior to those of MLT itself, since MLT may only slow down aging mechanisms, while Ang 1-7 could also regenerate the human body by reversing the atherosclerotic and fibrotic processes, which are responsible for the progressive organ failure.