title: Antiglaucomatous effects of the activation of intrinsic Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of the activation of endogenous angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) using the compound diminazene aceturate (DIZE) in an experimental model of glaucoma in Wistar rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  DIZE (1 mg/kg) was administered daily, either systemically or topically, and the IOP was measured weekly. To examine the role of the Mas receptor in the effects of DIZE, the Ang-(1-7) antagonist A-779 was co-administered. Drainage of the aqueous humor was evaluated by using scintigraphy. The analysis of ACE2 expression by immunohistochemistry and the counting of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were performed in histologic sections. Additionally, the nerve fiber structure was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The systemic administration and topical administration (in the form of eye drops) of DIZE increased the ACE2 expression in the eyes and significantly decreased the IOP of glaucomatous rats without changing the blood pressure. Importantly, this IOP-lowering action of DIZE was similar to the effects of dorzolamide. The antiglaucomatous effects of DIZE were blocked by A-779. Histologic analysis revealed that the reduction in the number of RGCs and the increase in the expression of caspase-3 in the RGC layer in glaucomatous animals were prevented by DIZE. This compound also prevented alterations in the cytoplasm of axons in glaucomatous rats. In addition to these neuroprotective effects, DIZE facilitated the drainage of the aqueous humor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results evidence the pathophysiologic relevance of the ocular ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis of the renin-angiotensin system and, importantly, indicate that the activation of intrinsic ACE2 is a potential therapeutic strategy to treat glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giselle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Foureaux
authors.forename: José C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: Bárbara S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: Gustavo O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Fulgêncio
authors.forename: Gustavo B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Simone O A
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Valbert N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Renata S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Gabriel P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Juçara R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Franca
authors.forename: André A G
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Faraco
authors.forename: Mohan K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Raizada
authors.forename: Anderson J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D004133:Diminazene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000201:enzymology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
chemical_list: C092006:7-Ala-angiotensin (1-7); D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; D000804:Angiotensin II; C062765:dorzolamide; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; C000705329:Ace2 protein, rat; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; D053148:Caspase 3; C003915:diminazene aceturate; D004133:Diminazene
keywords: ACE2 activation; Mas receptor; angiotensin-(1-7); eyes; glaucoma; renin-angiotensin system