RESUMO
Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a strategy used worldwide for managing hypertension. In addition to converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II, ACE also converts neurotoxic ß-amyloid protein 42 (Aß42) to Aß40. Because of its neurotoxicity, Aß42 is believed to play a causative role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), whereas Aß40 has neuroprotective effects against Aß42 aggregation and also against metal-induced oxidative damage. Whether ACE inhibition enhances Aß42 aggregation or impairs human cognitive ability are very important issues for preventing AD onset and for optimal hypertension management. In an 8-year longitudinal study, we found here that the mean intelligence quotient of male, but not female, hypertensive patients taking ACE inhibitors declined more rapidly than that of others taking no ACE inhibitors. Moreover, the sera of all AD patients exhibited a decrease in Aß42-to-Aß40-converting activity compared with sera from age-matched healthy individuals. Using human amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice, we found that a clinical dose of an ACE inhibitor was sufficient to increase brain amyloid deposition. We also generated human amyloid precursor protein/ACE+/- mice and found that a decrease in ACE levels promoted Aß42 deposition and increased the number of apoptotic neurons. These results suggest that inhibition of ACE activity is a risk factor for impaired human cognition and for triggering AD onset.