Angiotensin 1-7 Promotes Cardiac Angiogenesis Following Infarction.

Angiotensin 1-7 Promotes Cardiac Angiogenesis Following Infarction. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2013 Apr 29; Authors: Zhao W, Zhao T, Chen Y, Sun Y Abstract Angiogenesis is central to cardiac repair following myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiac angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)2 is significantly increased postMI, which is coincident with activated angiogenesis. The function of ACE2 is to generate angiotensin (Ang)1-7, an active peptide with cellular actions mediated by Mas receptors. The current study is to determine whether Ang(1-7) is involved in cardiac angiogenesis and facilitates cardiac repair. In the first portion of the study, the temporal expressions of cardiac ACE2 and Mas receptors were detected in rats with MI. In the second portion, MI rats were treated with or without a Mas receptor antagonist, A779 (1mg/kg/day given by minipump) for 7 days. Vascular density and expression of angiogenic mediators in the infarcted myocardium and cardiac function were examined. Compared to controls, ACE2 and Mas receptor levels were significantly increased in the infarcted myocardium for 4 weeks of the observation period. Newly formed vessels were evident in the infarcted myocardium at day 7. Mas receptor blockade significantly reduced vascular density in the infarcted myocardium and impaired ventricular function. In addition, A779 treatment significantly suppressed the cardiac expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D and matrix metall...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: research