Effects of a Novel Bradykinin B1 Receptor Antagonist and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockade on Experimental Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Background

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of the novel bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist BI-113823 following myocardial infarction (MI) and to determine whether B1 receptor blockade alters the cardiovascular effects of an angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist after MI in rats.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to permanent occlusion of the left descending coronary artery. Cardiovascular function was determined at 7 days post MI. Treatment with either B1 receptor antagonist (BI-113823) or AT1 receptor antagonist (irbesartan) alone or in combination improved post-MI cardiac function as evidenced by attenuation of elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP); greater first derivative of left ventricular pressure (± dp/dt max), left ventricle ejection fraction, fractional shorting, and better wall motion; as we as reductions in post-MI up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and collagen III. In addition, the cardiac up-regulation of B1 receptor and AT1 receptor mRNA were markedly reduced in animals treated with BI 113823, although bradykinin B2 receptor and angiotensin 1 converting enzyme (ACE1) mRNA expression were not significantly affected by B1 receptor blockade.

Conclusions/Significance

The present study demonstrates that treatment with the novel B1 receptor antagonist, BI-113823 improves post-MI cardiac function and does not influence the cardiovascular effects of AT1 receptor antagonist following MI.     

复方丹参片-维生素C配伍保护大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤

急性心肌梗塞（myocardial infarction, MI）是全世界死亡和致残的主要原因。常规心肌缺血再灌注治疗通常伴有缺血-再灌注损伤的发生,这是急性心肌梗塞患者治疗中最大的临床挑战之一。因此,迫切需要开发新型治疗药剂和方法来减轻缺血再灌注的心肌损伤。在此,我们设计了基于丹参片和维生素C的有效联合疗法。将50只Sprague-Dawley大鼠随机分为假手术、模型对照、丹参片、维生素C以及丹参片联合维生素C治疗组（每组10只大鼠）。检测了血液动力学参数、Bcl-2和Bax的表达以及心肌细胞丙二醛（malondialdehyde, MDA）和超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase, SOD）的含量。研究结果表明,与单药治疗相比,丹参片联合维生素C治疗组能明显增加左心室收缩压,左心室形成压,左心室内压最大上升速度和心率-收缩压乘积;同时,它降低了左室舒张末压和心率。进一步机制研究表明,复方丹参片-维生素C配伍可通过上调Bcl-2和下调Bax基因表达,抑制心肌缺血再灌注损伤诱导的心肌细胞凋亡。联合疗法还能调控心肌组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛（MDA）的含量,从而抑制机体内脂质过氧化。这些研究结果为逆转缺血再灌注损伤治疗提供新的策略,并为进一步研究基于丹参片和维生素C的联合治疗提供了实用建议。     

Calcium Channel Blocker Enhances Beneficial Effects of an Angiotensin II AT1 Receptor Blocker against Cerebrovascular-Renal Injury in type 2 Diabetic Mice

Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that combination therapy with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors plus calcium channel blockers (CCBs) elicits beneficial effects on cardiovascular and renal events in hypertensive patients with high cardiovascular risks. In the present study, we hypothesized that CCB enhances the protective effects of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) against diabetic cerebrovascular-renal injury. Saline-drinking type 2 diabetic KK-A^y mice developed hypertension and exhibited impaired cognitive function, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, albuminuria, glomerular sclerosis and podocyte injury. These brain and renal injuries were associated with increased gene expression of NADPH oxidase components, NADPH oxidase activity and oxidative stress in brain and kidney tissues as well as systemic oxidative stress. Treatment with the ARB, olmesartan (10 mg/kg/day) reduced blood pressure in saline-drinking KK-A^y mice and attenuated cognitive decline, BBB disruption, glomerular injury and albuminuria, which were associated with a reduction of NADPH oxidase activity and oxidative stress in brain and kidney tissues as well as systemic oxidative stress. Furthermore, a suppressive dose of azelnidipine (3 mg/kg/day) exaggerated these beneficial effects of olmesartan. These data support the hypothesis that a CCB enhances ARB-associated cerebrovascular-renal protective effects through suppression of NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.     

Regression of Glomerular and Tubulointerstitial Injuries by Dietary Salt Reduction with Combination Therapy of Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker and Calcium Channel Blocker in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats

A growing body of evidence indicates that renal tissue injuries are reversible. We investigated whether dietary salt reduction with the combination therapy of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) plus calcium channel blocker (CCB) reverses renal tissue injury in Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) hypertensive rats. DSS rats were fed a high-salt diet (HS; 4% NaCl) for 4 weeks. Then, DSS rats were given one of the following for 10 weeks: HS diet; normal-salt diet (NS; 0.5% NaCl), NS + an ARB (olmesartan, 10 mg/kg/day), NS + a CCB (azelnidipine, 3 mg/kg/day), NS + olmesartan + azelnidipine or NS + hydralazine (50 mg/kg/day). Four weeks of treatment with HS diet induced hypertension, proteinuria, glomerular sclerosis and hypertrophy, glomerular podocyte injury, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DSS rats. A continued HS diet progressed hypertension, proteinuria and renal tissue injury, which was associated with inflammatory cell infiltration and increased proinflammatory cytokine mRNA levels, NADPH oxidase activity and NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide production in the kidney. In contrast, switching to NS halted the progression of hypertension, renal glomerular and tubular injuries. Dietary salt reduction with ARB or with CCB treatment further reduced blood pressure and partially reversed renal tissues injury. Furthermore, dietary salt reduction with the combination of ARB plus CCB elicited a strong recovery from HS-induced renal tissue injury including the attenuation of inflammation and oxidative stress. These data support the hypothesis that dietary salt reduction with combination therapy of an ARB plus CCB restores glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury in DSS rats.     

Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker Ameliorates Stress-Induced Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Insulin Resistance

A strong causal link exists between psychological stress and insulin resistance as well with hypertension. Meanwhile, stress-related responses play critical roles in glucose metabolism in hypertensive patients. As clinical trials suggest that angiotensin-receptor blocker delays the onset of diabetes in hypertensive patients, we investigated the effects of irbesartan on stress-induced adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to 2-week intermittent restraint stress and orally treated with vehicle, 3 and 10 mg/kg/day irbesartan. The plasma concentrations of lipid and proinflammatory cytokines [Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6] were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Monocyte/macrophage accumulation in inguinal white adipose tissue (WAT) was observed with CD11b-positive cell counts and mRNA expressions of CD68 and F4/80 using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR methods respectively. The mRNA levels of angiotensinogen, proinflammatory cytokines shown above, and adiponectin in WAT were also assessed with RT-PCR method. Glucose metabolism was assessed by glucose tolerance tests (GTTs) and insulin tolerance tests, and mRNA expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in WAT. Restraint stress increased monocyte accumulation, plasma free fatty acids, expression of angiotensinogen and proinflammatory cytokines including MCP-1, and reduced adiponectin. Irbesartan reduced stress-induced monocyte accumulation in WAT in a dose dependent manner. Irbesartan treatment also suppressed induction of adipose angiotensinogen and proinflammatory cytokines in WAT and blood, and reversed changes in adiponectin expression. Notably, irbesartan suppressed stress-induced reduction in adipose tissue weight and free fatty acid release, and improved insulin tolerance with restoration of IRS-1 and GLUT4 mRNA expressions in WAT. The results indicate that irbesartan improves stress-induced adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. Our results suggests that irbesartan treatment exerts additive benefits for glucose metabolism in hypertensive patients with mental stress.     

Maternal Treatment with Agonistic Autoantibodies against Type-1 Angiotensin II Receptor in Late Pregnancy Increases Apoptosis of Myocardial Cells and Myocardial Susceptibility to Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Offspring Rats

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that offspring born to mothers preeclampsia (PE) are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular diseases after birth, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Angiotensin II receptor type 1 autoantibody (AT1-AA), an agonist acting via activation of the AT1 receptor, is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of both PE and fetal growth restriction. The aim of the present study was to confirm the hypothesis that prenatal AT1-AA exposure increases the heart susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in the offspring in an AT1-AA-induced animal model of PE, and determine whether or not the increase of maternal AT1-AA level is a factor contributing to sustained abnormalities of the heart structure during infancy. The hearts of 45-day-old offspring rats were studied using Langendorff preparation to determine the susceptibility of the heart to IRI. The results showed that the body weight of the maternal rats was not significantly different between the study and control groups, but the body weight of their offspring in AT1-AA group was decreased slightly at day 21 of gestational age, and at day 3 after birth. Although the heart weight index was not significantly affected at all ages examined, AT1-AA significantly increased the size of myocardial cells of the left ventricle (LV) at the age of 45 days. AT1-AA gained access to fetal circulation via the placenta and induced apoptosis of fetal myocardial cells. AT1-AA also significantly delayed recovery from IRI and affected the LV function of 45-day-old offspring. This was associated with a significant increase in IRI-induced LV myocardial infarct size. These results suggest that AT1-AA induced abnormal apoptosis of fetal myocardial cells during the fetal period and increased the cardiac susceptibility to IRI in adult offspring.     

The Novel Mas agonist,CGEN-856S,Attenuates Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Remodeling and Myocardial Infarction Injury in Rats

CGEN-856S is a novel Mas agonist. Herein, we examined the effects of this peptide on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac remodeling and myocardial infarction (MI) injury. We also sought to determine whether CGEN-856S activates the underlying mechanisms related to Mas receptor activation. Heart hypertrophy and fibrosis were induced by ISO (2 mg·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹) in Wistar rats. After a 7-day treatment period with CGEN-856S (90 µg·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹) or vehicle, the cardiomyocyte diameter was evaluated in left ventricular sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and immunofluorescence labeling and quantitative confocal microscopy were used to quantify the deposition of type I and III collagen and fibronectin in the left ventricles. MI was induced by coronary artery ligation, and CGEN-856S (90 µg·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹) or saline was administered for 14 days. The Langendorff technique was used to evaluate cardiac function, and left ventricular sections were stained with Masson’s trichrome dye to quantify the infarct area. Using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with Mas cDNA, we evaluated whether CGEN-856S alters AKT and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation. CGEN-856S reduced the degree of ISO-induced hypertrophy (13.91±0.17 µm vs. 12.41±0.16 µm in the ISO+CGEN-856S group). In addition, the Mas agonist attenuated the ISO-induced increase in collagen I, collagen III, and fibronectin deposition. CGEN-856S markedly attenuated the MI-induced decrease in systolic tension, as well as in +dT/dt and -dT/dt. Furthermore, CGEN-856S administration significantly decreased the infarct area (23.68±2.78% vs. 13.95±4.37% in the MI+CGEN-856S group). These effects likely involved the participation of AKT and NO, as CGEN-856S administration increased the levels of p-AKT and p-eNOS. Thus, our results indicate that CGEN-856S exerts cardioprotective effects on ISO-induced cardiac remodeling and MI-mediated heart failure in rats through a mechanism likely involving the eNOS/AKT pathway.     

Efficacy and Mechanism of Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker Treatment in Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Background

Despite the importance of the renin-angiotensin (Ang) system in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis, strategies targeting this system to prevent clinical aneurysm progression remain controversial and unproven. We compared the relative efficacy of two Ang II type 1 receptor blockers, telmisartan and irbesartan, in limiting experimental AAAs in distinct mouse models of aneurysm disease.

Methodology/Principal Findings

AAAs were induced using either 1) Ang II subcutaneous infusion (1000 ng/kg/min) for 28 days in male ApoE^−/− mice, or 2) transient intra-aortic porcine pancreatic elastase infusion in male C57BL/6 mice. One week prior to AAA creation, mice started to daily receive irbesartan (50 mg/kg), telmisartan (10 mg/kg), fluvastatin (40 mg/kg), bosentan (100 mg/kg), doxycycline (100 mg/kg) or vehicle alone. Efficacy was determined via serial in vivo aortic diameter measurements, histopathology and gene expression analysis at sacrifice. Aortic aneurysms developed in 67% of Ang II-infused ApoE^−/− mice fed with standard chow and water alone (n = 15), and 40% died of rupture. Strikingly, no telmisartan-treated mouse developed an AAA (n = 14). Both telmisartan and irbesartan limited aneurysm enlargement, medial elastolysis, smooth muscle attenuation, macrophage infiltration, adventitial neocapillary formation, and the expression of proteinases and proinflammatory mediators. Doxycycline, fluvastatin and bosentan did not influence aneurysm progression. Telmisartan was also highly effective in intra-aortic porcine pancreatic elastase infusion-induced AAAs, a second AAA model that did not require exogenous Ang II infusion.

Conclusion/Significance

Telmisartan suppresses experimental aneurysms in a model-independent manner and may prove valuable in limiting clinical disease progression.     

AT1 Receptor Blockade Attenuates Insulin Resistance and Myocardial Remodeling in Rats with Diet-Induced Obesity

Background

Although obesity has been associated with metabolic and cardiac disturbances, the carrier mechanisms for these responses are poorly understood. This study analyzed whether angiotensin II blockade attenuates metabolic and cardiovascular disorders in rats with diet-induced obesity.

Material and Methods

Wistar-Kyoto (n = 40) rats were subjected to control (C; 3.2 kcal/g) and hypercaloric diets (OB; 4.6 kcal/g) for 30 weeks. Subsequently, rats were distributed to four groups: C, CL, OB, and OBL. L groups received Losartan (30 mg/kg/day) for five weeks. After this period we performed in vivo glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests, and measured triacylglycerol, insulin, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (ACE), and leptin levels. Cardiovascular analyzes included systolic blood pressure (SBP), echocardiography, myocardial morphometric study, myosin heavy chain composition, and measurements of myocardial protein levels of angiotensin, extracellular signal-regulated (ERK1/2), c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNK), insulin receptor subunit β (βIR), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) by Western Blot.

Results

Glucose metabolism, insulin, lipid, and ACE activity disorders observed with obesity were minimized by Losartan. Moreover, obesity was associated with increased SBP, myocardial hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis and improved systolic performance; these effects were also minimized with Losartan. On a molecular level, OB exhibited higher ERK, Tyr-phosphorylated βIR, and PI3K expression, and reduced myocardial angiotensin and JNK expression. ERK and JNK expression were regulated in the presence of Losartan, while angiotensin, Tyr-βRI, total and Tyr-phosphorylated PI3K expression were elevated in the OBL group.

Conclusion

Angiotensin II blockade with Losartan attenuates obesity-induced metabolic and cardiovascular changes.     

Targeted NGF siRNA Delivery Attenuates Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting and Deteriorates Cardiac Dysfunction in Rats with Myocardial Infarction

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is involved in nerve sprouting, hyper-innervation, angiogenesis, anti-apoptosis, and preservation of cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI). Positively modulating NGF expression may represent a novel pharmacological strategy to improve post-infarction prognosis. In this study, lentivirus encoding NGF short interfering RNA (siRNA) was prepared, and MI was modeled in the rat using left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Rats were randomly grouped to receive intramyocardial injection of lentiviral solution containing NGF-siRNA (n = 19, MI-SiNGF group), lentiviral solution containing empty vector (n = 18, MI-GFP group) or 0.9% NaCl solution (n = 18, MI-control group), or to receive thoracotomy and pericardiotomy (n = 17, sham-operated group). At 1, 2, 4, and 8 wk after transduction, rats in the MI-control group had higher levels of NGF mRNA and protein than those in the sham-operated group, rats in the MI-GFP group showed similar levels as the MI-control group, and rats in the MI-SiNGF group had lower levels compared to the MI-GFP group, indicating that MI model was successfully established and NGF siRNA effectively inhibited the expression of NGF. At 8 wk, echocardiographic and hemodynamic studies revealed a more severe cardiac dysfunction in the MI-siRNA group compared to the MI-GFP group. Moreover, rats in the MI-siRNA group had lower mRNA and protein expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and growth-associated protein 43-positive nerve fibers (GAP-43) at both the infarcted border and within the non-infarcted left ventricles (LV). NGF silencing also reduced the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and decreased the arteriolar and capillary densities at the infarcted border compared to the MI-GFP group. Histological analysis indicated a large infarcted size in the MI-SiNGF group. These findings suggested that endogenous NGF silencing attenuated sympathetic nerve sprouting and angiogenesis, enlarged the infarct size, aggravated cardiac dysfunction, and potentially contributed to an unfavorable prognosis after MI.     

AT1 Receptor Blocker Candesartan-induced Attenuation of Brain Injury of Rats Subjected to Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion

One of common pathophysiological states associated with central nervous system is chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CH) that frequently occurs in conditions such as vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Long term blockage of angiotensin II type 1 (AT₁) receptor provides protection from ischemia induced injury of brain as well as reduction of cerebrovascular inflammation. Examining effect of the blockage on reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA), and lipid peroxidation were of purpose in the present study. Modeling CH, rats were subjected to permanent occlusion of common carotid arteries bilaterally. AT₁ receptor antagonist, candesartan, was given daily for 14 days after surgery. CH caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in GSH content of cerebral hippocampal tissue with no change in AA level. Candesartan (0.5 mg/kg, oral) not only reduced lipid peroxidation but also restored GSH significantly besides elevating AA and improving histopathological alterations. In conclusion, long term AT₁ receptor blockage may be considered as novel therapeutic approach for protection from damage associated with CH. Underlying mechanism(s) may in part be related to suppressing oxidative stress and preserving brain antioxidant capacity.     

microRNAs在大鼠急性心肌梗死过程的表达变化

目的研究分析microRNAs（miRNAs,miRs）在大鼠急性心肌梗死（acutemyocardialinfarction,AMI）心肌组织的梗死区与非梗死区的表达变化,为防治AMI提供基础数据。方法选择雄性sD大鼠为研究对象,建立结扎左冠状动脉造成的急性心肌梗死模型,取建模后6h的梗死区与非梗死区的心肌组织进行芯片检测．确定其中表达变化显著的miRNAs;最后进行定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（qRT—PCR）,定量分析梗死区与非梗死区心肌组织中miRNAs的表达。结果AMI大鼠心肌组织中,芯片筛选出在AMI前后发生显著波动的miRNAs,与非梗死区相比,梗死区心肌组织中有26个miRNAs表达发生了显著变化,其中19个miRNA表达下调,7个miRNA表达上调。结论在AMI后的心肌组织的梗死部位与非梗死部位miRNAs的表达是有显著差异的,这对AMI阶段心肌保护的救治具有重要意义。     

扶正化瘀胶囊对心肌梗死大鼠心肌纤维化的影响

目的：急性心肌梗死是危害人类健康的重大疾病之一,心肌梗死后心肌纤维化是造成心脏结构破坏、心功能下降、心律失常发生、心衰甚至猝死的微观病理机制。防治心肌纤维化是当前医学研究的重点和热点。本研究主要探讨扶正化瘀胶囊对心肌梗死大鼠心肌纤维化的干预作用。方法：大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、扶正化瘀胶囊组和卡托普利组,采用结扎冠状动脉前降支的方法建立心肌梗死模型,假手术组只穿线,不结扎。于造模成功后第10天开始给予相应药物治疗2个月。治疗结束后,检测左心室梗死范围和心肌胶原含量。结果：与假手术组比较,模型组、扶正化瘀胶囊组和卡托普利组的非梗死区面积显著减小（P〈0.01）。与模型组比较,扶正化瘀胶囊组和卡托普利组的梗死区面积和梗死百分比显著减小（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）。在心肌胶原表达上,与假手术组比较,模型组和扶正化瘀胶囊组胶原含量显著增加（P〈0.01）。与模型组比较,卡托普利组和扶正化瘀胶囊组胶原含量显著降低（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）。结论：扶正化瘀胶囊能够改善心肌缺血,缩小心肌梗死范围,抑制心肌胶原表达,除能用于肝纤维化的治疗外,还能用于防治心肌梗死后的心肌纤维化。     

Alpha Lipoic Acid Attenuates Radiation-Induced Thyroid Injury in Rats

Exposure of the thyroid to radiation during radiotherapy of the head and neck is often unavoidable. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on radiation-induced thyroid injury in rats. Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: healthy controls (CTL), irradiated (RT), received ALA before irradiation (ALA + RT), and received ALA only (ALA, 100 mg/kg, i.p.). ALA was treated at 24 h and 30 minutes prior to irradiation. The neck area including the thyroid gland was evenly irradiated with 2 Gy per minute (total dose of 18 Gy) using a photon 6-MV linear accelerator. Greater numbers of abnormal and unusually small follicles in the irradiated thyroid tissues were observed compared to the controls and the ALA group on days 4 and 7 after irradiation. However, all pathologies were decreased by ALA pretreatment. The quantity of small follicles in the irradiated rats was greater on day 7 than day 4 after irradiation. However, in the ALA-treated irradiated rats, the numbers of small and medium follicles were significantly decreased to a similar degree as in the control and ALA-only groups. The PAS-positive density of the colloid in RT group was decreased significantly compared with all other groups and reversed by ALA pretreatment. The high activity index in the irradiated rats was lowered by ALA treatment. TGF-ß1 immunoreactivity was enhanced in irradiated rats and was more severe on the day 7 after radiation exposure than on day 4. Expression of TGF-ß1 was reduced in the thyroid that had undergone ALA pretreatment. Levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6) did not differ significantly between the all groups. This study provides that pretreatment with ALA decreased the severity of radiation-induced thyroid injury by reducing inflammation and fibrotic infiltration and lowering the activity index. Thus, ALA could be used to ameliorate radiation-induced thyroid injury.     

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor mRNA Levels in the Brains of Normotensive and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract: The type 1 angiotensin II (All) receptor (AT₁-R) has been implicated in the physiological actions mediated by All in the brain. In view of the reported hyperactivity of the brain All system in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), we compared the expression of AT,-R mRNAs in the brains of normotensive [Wistar Kyoto (WKY)] and SHR animals. Northern blot analysis showed about three- and ∼20-fold increases in the levels of AT₁-R mRNAs from the hypothalamus and brainstem areas, respectively, of the SHR compared with the WKY rat brain. This was attributable to greater levels of both AT,_1A- and AT,_1B-R mRNA subtypes in these areas from the SHR. These observations suggest that increased All receptor levels in SHR brain may, in part, be a result of increased expression of the AT₁-R gene.     

Glucocorticoid Modulates Angiotensin II Receptor Expression Patterns and Protects the Heart from Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury

Glucocorticoid regulates angiotensin II receptor (ATR) expression via activating glucocorticoid receptors and binding to glucocorticoid response elements. The regulation of ATR by glucocorticoids in the context of myocardial injury from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is yet to be elucidated. The present study determined the role of ATR in glucocorticoid-induced cardiac protection. Adult male rats were administered once a day i.p. 1 mg/kg/day dexamethasone or dexamethasone plus 10 mg/kg/day RU486 for 5 days. Hearts were then isolated and subjected to I/R injury in a Langendorff preparation. Dexamethasone treatment significantly decreased I/R injury and improved post-ischemic recovery of cardiac function. Dexamethasone increased glucocorticoid receptor binding to glucocorticoid response elements at AT_1aR and AT₂R promoters, resulting in a significant increase in expression of AT₁R protein but a decrease in AT₂R expression in the heart. In addition, dexamethasone treatment significantly increased PKCε expression and p-PKCε protein abundance. These dexamethasone-mediated effects were blocked by RU486. More importantly, blockade of AT₁R and AT₂R with losartan and PD123319 abrogated dexamethasone-induced protection of the heart from I/R injury. The results indicate that glucocorticoid promotes a cardioprotective phenotype associated with the upregulation of AT₁R and PKCε and downregulation of AT₂R in the heart.     

大鼠心肌梗死后差异蛋白质组学分析

目的：建立大鼠心肌梗死后蛋白表达变化谱,以进一步了解心肌梗死后心肌细胞重塑产生机制。方法：通过结扎大鼠冠状动脉左前降支建立急性心肌梗死模型,利用蛋白质双向凝胶电泳技术（two-dimensionalgelelectrophoresis,2-DE）分离心肌总蛋白,采用PDQuest7.3.1软件比较分析,获得差异表达蛋白总体变化趋势。进一步通过蛋白免疫印记技术（Western-blotting）检测碱性成纤维生长因子（Basefibroblastgrowthfactor,bFGF）在心肌梗死后的表达变化。结果：成功建立了大鼠急性心肌梗死模型;2-DE结果表明：以假结扎组为对照,梗死3天组有27个蛋白显著上调,18个蛋白显著下调,7个蛋白表达明显差异（ratio〉5）。进一步研究发现梗死区心肌组织bFGF表达明显升高。结论：心肌梗死后蛋白表达变化趋势的探讨为心室重塑机制研究提供线索。     

大鼠心肌梗死后差异蛋白质组学分析

目的:建立大鼠心肌梗死后蛋白表达变化谱,以进一步了解心肌梗死后心肌细胞重塑产生机制。方法:通过结扎大鼠冠状动脉左前降支建立急性心肌梗死模型,利用蛋白质双向凝胶电泳技术(two-dimensionalgelelectrophoresis,2-DE)分离心肌总蛋白,采用PDQuest7.3.1软件比较分析,获得差异表达蛋白总体变化趋势。进一步通过蛋白免疫印记技术(Western-blotting)检测碱性成纤维生长因子(Basefibroblastgrowthfactor,bFGF)在心肌梗死后的表达变化。结果:成功建立了大鼠急性心肌梗死模型;2-DE结果表明:以假结扎组为对照,梗死3天组有27个蛋白显著上调,18个蛋白显著下调,7个蛋白表达明显差异(ratio>5)。进一步研究发现梗死区心肌组织bFGF表达明显升高。结论:心肌梗死后蛋白表达变化趋势的探讨为心室重塑机制研究提供线索。     

Interaction of Cyclic AMP Derivatives with the Angiotensin II Receptor

Abstract

The effect of cyclic AMP and of its derivatives was studied on ¹²⁵I-angiotensin II and ¹²⁵I- (Sar¹, Ala⁸) -angiotensin II binding to rat adrenal membrane receptors. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, 8-bro-mo-cyclic AMP and cyclic AMP inhibited both agonist and antagonist binding in a specific and dose-dependent way, with K₁ of 1.3 mM, 6.8 mM and about 30 mM, respectively. Scatchard analysis of binding data indicated that the nucleotides interacted directly with the membrane receptor for angiotensin II. These results suggest that cyclic AMP may act extracellularly and affect receptor-mediated events.