Aim: To investigate the effects of gender differences and estrogen levels on ACE, -Ang II -ATR axis in the aorta tissue of renovascular hypertension (RVH) rats. Methods: Forty-five rats were made two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) model of renovascular hypertension and divided into three groups: female two kidney one clip group (2K1C-F), male two kidney one clip group (2K1C-M), and ovariectomized group (2K1C-0VX). After 32 weeks of routine feeding, the blood pressure was measured, blood was taken and-serum and plasma were prepared. Serum estrogen and plasma Ang II were measured and mRNA and protein expression levels of ACE, AT, R, AT2R in aorta tissue were detected. Results: Systolic blood pressure of 2K1C-F group was significantly higher than that of 2K1C-M group and 2K1C-0VX group (P < 0.05). The content of Ang II in 2K1C-F group was significantly lower than that in 2K1C-M and 2K1C-0VX group(P <0. 01). Compared with 2K1C-F group, the mRNA and protein expressions of ACE!, AT, R, AT2R in 2K1C-M group were up-regulated significantly (P < 0. 05), while the mRNA expression of ATlb R, ACE, was up-regulated, and the mRNA expression of AT2R was down-regulated in 2K1C-OVX group (P < 0. 05); compared with 2K1C-M group, the mRNA expression of ACE, ATlb R, AT2R and protein expression of ACE, AT2R were down-regulated significantly in 2K1C-OVX group(P < 0. 05). Conclusions: The mRNA and protein expressions of ACE, Ang II, AT1aR and AT1bR in aorta tissue show gender and estrogen differences, and estrogen can reduce the activity of ACE, -Ang II -AT, R axis.

Salvianolic acids are the main water-soluble active compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza and have been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Based on the latest studies in China and abroad, we summarize the pharmacological effects and mechanism of salvianolic acids on ischemic heart disease by describing how salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid B protect the vascular endothelium, relax coronary arteries, promote angiogenesis and anti-platelet aggregation, inhibit the inflammatory response, anti-cell apoptosis, and scavenge free radicals. This review provides a theoretical basis for further research on the effects of salvianolic acids on ischemic heart disease and their potential for drug development.