The role of RAS in mediating kidney development and regulating BP has received considerable attention
[53,54][20][21]. Pharmacological blockade of the RAS has been clinically used as the first choice for hypertension and renal protection. This system consists of different angiotensin peptides mediated by distinct receptors. The classic RAS, defined as the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-angiotensin (Ang) II-angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) axis, promotes vasoconstriction and sodium retention. Conversely, the non-classical RAS composed of the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas receptor axis leads to vasodilatation
[54][21]. The RAS have been reported to be associated with developmental programming of hypertension in a variety of models, including prenatal glucocorticoid administration
[39[6][7][8],
40,41], high-fat diet
[44][11], low-protein diet
[55][22], high-sucrose diet
[56][23], and high-fructose diet
[57][24]. NO inhibition by L-NAME in pregnancy caused programmed hypertension in adult offspring, which was associated with increased mRNA of renin and ACE in offspring kidney
[47][14]. On the other hand, blockade of the classical RAS between 2–4 weeks of age has been reported to prevent the developmental programming of hypertension
[57,58,59,60][24][25][26][27]. These protective effects are not only directed upon the RAS, but also through regulating the NO system. In spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), early therapy with aliskiren, a renin inhibitor, has been reported to reduce ADMA, restore
l-arginine-to-ADMA ratio, and increase renal cortical nNOS protein level to prevent the development of hypertension
[61][28]. Similarly, early aliskiren therapy protects adult rat offspring exposed to maternal caloric restriction against programmed hypertension via ADMA reduction
[60][27]. Nevertheless, the detailed mechanisms underlying the interplay between the RAS and NO pathway contributing to the programmed hypertension and kidney disease need to be further investigated.