Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibiting therapy on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in hyperstimulated rat ovary.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibiting therapy on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the hyperstimulated rat ovary.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
University animal research laboratory.


METHODS
Thirty Wistar albino adult female rats were studied; 20 rats were stimulated with gonadotropins (groups 1 and 2), and 10 were controls (group 3). Ten of the stimulated rats received additional treatment with enalapril (group 2).


METHODS
At the end of the treatment period, rat ovaries were subjected to immunohistochemical staining with anti-VEGF antibodies.


METHODS
VEGF staining intensity was graded semiquantitatively, and the H-score was calculated by light microscopic examination of the groups.


RESULTS
VEGF expression was found to be significantly higher in the endothelium and stroma in groups 1 and 2 compared with group 3. Although VEGF immunoreactivity was lower in the stimulation regimen plus enalapril group compared with the stimulation regimen-only group, the difference was insignificant.


CONCLUSIONS
Enalapril does not seem to have a significant effect on VEGF expression in the hyperstimulated rat ovary. Because angiotensin II exerts its multiple actions via specific receptors, there may be other factors, such as a receptor blockade, that contribute to the VEGF expression.
Ozcakir
Hasan Tayfun
HT
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Celal Bayar University Hospital, Manisa, Turkey. tayfun.ozcakir@bayar.edu.tr
Giray
Seren Gulsen
SG
Ozbilgin
Mahmut Kemal
MK
Inceboz
Umit Sungurtekin
US
Caglar
Husnu
H
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004656:Enalapril / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D004656:Enalapril