British journal of pharmacology
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The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis. In addition, 'local' tissue-specific RAS have been identified, regulating regeneration, cell growth, apoptosis, inflammation and angiogenesis. Although components of the RAS are expressed in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, a local RAS in bone has not yet been described and there is no information on whether the RAS is involved in fracture healing. Therefore, we studied the expression and function of the key RAS component, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), during fracture healing. ⋯ Our study provides evidence for a local RAS in bone that influenced the process of fracture healing. We show for the first time that inhibition of ACE is capable of accelerating bone healing and remodelling.
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The multidrug resistance of epilepsy may result from the overexpression of P-glycoprotein, but the mechanisms are unclear. We investigated whether the overexpression of P-glycoprotein in the brains of subjects with pharmacoresistant epilepsy resulted from both drug effects and seizure activity. ⋯ The overexpression of P-glycoprotein in the brain of subjects with pharmacoresistant epilepsy is due to a combination of drug effects and epileptic seizures.