ACE and endothelial dysfunction: The PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in vascular remodeling and endothelial dysfunction [22], the c-Src/EGFR/MAPK/NF-κB pathway increases oxidative stress and upregulates ACE expression by activating uncoupled nitric oxide synthase (NOS) [17], and the PLC/IP3/PKC pathway contributes to vascular smooth muscle contraction and blood pressure regulation [23].