title: Paradoxical role of angiotensin II type 2 receptors in resistance arteries of old rats.
abstract: The role of angiotensin II type 2 receptors (AT2Rs) remains a matter of controversy. Its vasodilatory and antitrophic properties are well accepted. Nevertheless, in hypertensive rats, AT2R stimulation induces a vasoconstriction counteracting flow-mediated dilation (FMD). This contraction is reversed by hydralazine. Because FMD is also decreased in aging, another risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, we hypothesized that AT2R function might be altered in old-rat resistance arteries. Mesenteric resistance arteries (250 mum in diameter) were isolated from old (24 months) and control (4 months) rats receiving hydralazine (16 mg/kg per day; 2 weeks) or water. FMD, NO-mediated dilation, and endothelial NO synthase expression were lower in old versus control rats. AT2R blockade improved FMD in old rats, suggesting that AT2R stimulation produced vasoconstriction. AT2R expression was higher in old rats and mainly located in the smooth muscle layer. In old rats, AT2R stimulation induced endothelium-independent contraction, which was suppressed by the antioxidant Tempol. Reactive oxygen species level was higher in old-rat arteries than in controls. Hydralazine improved FMD and NO-dependent dilation in old rats without change in AT2R expression and location. In old rats treated with hydralazine, reactive oxygen species level was reduced in endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and AT2R-dependent contraction was abolished. Thus, AT2R stimulation induced vasoconstriction through activation of reactive oxygen species production, contributing to decrease FMD in old-rat resistance arteries. Hydralazine suppressed AT2R-dependent reactive oxygen species production and AT2R-dependent contraction, improving FMD. Importantly, endothelial alterations in aging were reversible. These findings are important to consider in the choice of vasoactive drugs in aging.
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche (CNRS UMR) 6214, Université d'Angers, Angers, France.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pinaud
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bocquet
authors.forename: Odile
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dumont
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Retailleau
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baufreton
authors.forename: Ramaroson
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andriantsitohaina
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Loufrani
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Henrion
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D006830:Hydralazine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III