Identification of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the local product of Aomori prefecture

Abstract

    A dietary approach to ingest food factors from diet is important to prevent lifestyle-related diseases, such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Among these diseases, hypertension has been well established as a leading risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and mortality in general. Angiotensin- Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays a key role in the regulation of blood pressure by conversion of the inactive decapeptide angiotensin I to vasoactive octapeptide angiotensin II, as well as by inactivation of the vasodilator bradykinin. The aim of this study is to identify the ACE Inhibitors in the local products of Aomori prefecture. We identified an ACE inhibitor (nicotianamine) from pumpkin.