title: Role of matrix metalloproteinase activity in the neurovascular protective effects of Angiotensin antagonism.
abstract: Background and Purpose. Oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity have been identified as key mediators of early vascular damage after ischemic stroke. Somewhat surprisingly, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) blocker, candesartan, has been shown to acutely increase MMP activity while providing neurovascular protection. We aimed to determine the contribution of MMP and nitrative stress to the effects of angiotensin blockade in experimental stroke. Methods. Wistar rats (n = 9-14/group; a total of 99) were treated in a factorial design with candesartan 1 mg/kg IV, alone or in combination with either a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, FeTPPs, 30 mg/kg IP or GM6001 50 mg/kg IP (MMP inhibitor). Neurological deficit, infarct, size and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) were measured after 3 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and 21 h of reperfusion. MMP activity and nitrotyrosine expression were also measured. Results. Candesartan reduced infarct size and HT when administered alone (P = 0.0011) and in combination with FeTPPs (P = 0.0016). GM6001 did not significantly affect HT when administered alone, but the combination with candesartan caused increased HT (P < 0.0001) and worsened neurologic score (P = 0.028). Conclusions. Acute administration of candesartan reduces injury after stroke despite increasing MMP activity, likely by an antioxidant mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, HM 1212, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Tauheed
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishrat
authors.affiliation: Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, HM 1212, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kozak
authors.affiliation: Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, HM 1212, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1105-0620
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alhusban
authors.affiliation: Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, HM 1212, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Bindu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Maribeth H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, HM 1212, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Azza B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: El-Remessy
authors.affiliation: Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, HM 1212, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Adviye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ergul
authors.affiliation: Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, HM 1212, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA ; Department of Neurology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Fagan