Vasoprotective and atheroprotective effects of angiotensin (1-7) in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of long-term angiotensin (Ang) (1-7) treatment to inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice.


RESULTS
Ang (1-7) is a heptapeptide fragment that has been proposed to counterregulate the Ang II proatherogenic effects. The effect of long-term 4-week Ang (1-7) treatment on both inhibition of atherosclerotic lesion development and improvement of endothelial function was examined in apolipoprotein E(-/-) mice that had been fed an atherogenic high-fat (21%) diet for 16 weeks. Chronic Ang (1-7) treatment significantly improved endothelial function, an effect reversed with either angiotensin type 2 (AT(2)) or Mas receptor blockade. In these vessels, Ang (1-7) treatment significantly decreased superoxide production and increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity when compared with vehicle treatment. These effects were blocked by both AT(2) and Mas receptor antagonists. Lesion development, assessed as both fatty deposits (oil red O) and intima to media ratio, was also significantly decreased with Ang (1-7) treatment compared with respective controls. Cotreatment with either AT(2) or Mas receptor antagonists reversed Ang (1-7)-mediated reduction in lesion development.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term Ang (1-7) treatment caused both vasoprotection, via improvement in endothelial function, and atheroprotection, with a reduction in lesion progression in a model of atherosclerosis. These effects appear to be mediated by the restoration of nitric oxide bioavailability and involve a complex interaction of both Mas and AT(2) receptors.
Tesanovic
Sonja
S
Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.
Vinh
Antony
A
Gaspari
Tracey A
TA
Casley
David
D
Widdop
Robert E
RE
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000803:Angiotensin I / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D000818:Animals; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
C092006:7-Ala-angiotensin (1-7); D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D007093:Imidazoles; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D011725:Pyridines; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D013481:Superoxides; D000804:Angiotensin II; C073402:PD 123319; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000803:Angiotensin I; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496315:Nos3 protein, mouse; C118790:angiotensin I (1-7); D000109:Acetylcholine