title: Evidence for a causal role of the renin-angiotensin system in vascular dysfunction associated with insulin resistance.
abstract: Excess production of superoxide anion in response to angiotensin II plays a central role in the transduction of signal molecules and the regulation of vascular tone. We examined the ability of insulin resistance to stimulate superoxide anion production and investigated the identity of the oxidases responsible for its production. Rats were fed diets containing 60% fructose (fructose-fed rats) or 60% starch (control rats) for 8 weeks. In aortic homogenates from fructose-fed rats, the superoxide anion generated in response to NAD(P)H was more than 2-fold higher than that of control rats. Pretreatment of the aorta from fructose-fed rats with inhibitors of NADPH oxidase significantly reduced superoxide anion production. In the isolated aorta, contraction induced by angiotensin II was more potent in fructose-fed rats compared with control rats. Losartan normalized blood pressure, NAD(P)H oxidase activity, endothelial function, and angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction in fructose-fed rats. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the enhanced constrictor response to angiotensin II, expressions of angiotensin II receptor and subunits of NADPH oxidase were examined with the use of angiotensin II type 1a receptor knockout (AT1a KO) mice. Expression of AT1a receptor mRNA was enhanced in fructose-fed mice, whereas expression of either AT1b or AT2 was unaltered. In addition, protein expression of each subunit of NADPH oxidase was increased in fructose-fed mice, whereas the expression was significantly decreased in fructose-fed AT1a KO mice. The novel observation of insulin resistance-induced upregulation of AT1 receptor expression could explain the association of insulin resistance with endothelial dysfunction and hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta, Otsu, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shinozaki
authors.forename: Kazuhide
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ayajiki
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishio
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugaya
authors.forename: Atsunori
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kashiwagi
authors.forename: Tomio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okamura
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D019808:Losartan / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D013481:Superoxides; D000804:Angiotensin II; D010656:Phenylephrine; D000001:Calcimycin; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496316:Nos3 protein, rat; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; D019808:Losartan