Statin-sensitive dysregulated AT1 receptor function and density in hypercholesterolemic men.
BACKGROUND
Hypercholesterolemia causes an upregulation of vascular angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor expression in cell culture and animal models. The presented studies were undertaken to examine AT1 receptor overexpression in hypercholesterolemic men and therapeutic interventions thereof by HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins).


RESULTS
Effects of AT1 receptor activation were measured by assessing the blood pressure increase after infusion of angiotensin II in normo- (cholesterol 181+/-11 mg/dL) and hypercholesterolemic (cholesterol 294+/-10 mg/dL) men (n=19 and 20, respectively). AT1 receptor expression was assessed on isolated platelets. Some patients were investigated before and after cholesterol-lowering therapy with statins. Hypercholesterolemia led to a significant increase of angiotensin II-induced blood pressure elevation. AT1 receptor expression was significantly enhanced in hypercholesterolemic individuals (B(max)=5.2+/-1.2 fmol/mg protein) compared with normocholesterolemic men (B(max)=2.1+/-0.2 fmol/mg protein). Cholesterol-lowering treatment with statins reversed the elevated blood pressure response to angiotensin II infusion (P<0.05) and downregulated AT1 receptor density (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Hypercholesterolemia induces AT1 receptor overexpression and enhances biological effects of angiotensin II in men. These findings provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of hypertension and atherosclerosis and may initiate rational and new therapeutic concepts.
Nickenig
G
G
Klinik III für Innere Medizin, Universität Köln, Germany. georg.nickenig@uni-koeln.de
Bäumer
A T
AT
Temur
Y
Y
Kebben
D
D
Jockenhövel
F
F
Böhm
M
M
D000328:Adult; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011758:Pyrroles; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin