OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of valsartan and MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 on atrial fibrosis and connexin40 (Cx40) remodeling in rats treated with isoproterenol (ISO).

METHODS32 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (A), ISO (5 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) for 7 days) + DMSO group (B), ISO + U0126 (0.5 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) for 28 days) group (C, U0126 was dissolved in DMSO), ISO + valsartan (30 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) for 28 days) + DMSO group (D). Rats were sacrificed after 28 days. The AngIIcontent in myocardial tissue was measured by radioimmunoassay, P-MEK1/2, P-ERK1/2 and Cx40 was detected by immunohistochemistry, atrial fibrosis was determined on HE and Masson stained heart sections.

RESULTSThe content of AngII was significantly higher in group B, C and D compared with group A [(368.243 ± 6.283) ng/L, (357.175 ± 5.944) ng/L, (359.908 ± 2.496) ng/L vs (250.380 ± 4.261) ng/L, P < 0.01]; the degree of atrial fibrosis was significantly lower in group C and D compared with group B [CVF(10.260 ± 0.525)%, (10.238 ± 0.524)% vs (78.710 ± 1.587)%, P < 0.01] while there was no atrial fibrosis in group A [CVF(9.025 ± 0.456)%]; the expression of P-MEK1/2 and P-ERK1/2 was significantly upregulated in group B compared with group A (P-MEK1/2: 0.311 ± 0.007 vs 0.203 ± 0.009, P < 0.01; P-ERK1/2: 0.259 ± 0.003 vs 0.173 ± 0.006, P < 0.01) and significantly lower in group C and D compared with group B (P-MEK1/2: 0.212 ± 0.004, 0.213 ± 0.005 vs 0.311 ± 0.007, P < 0.01, P-ERK1/2: 0.178 ± 0.004, 0.175 ± 0.007 vs 0.259 ± 0.003, P < 0.01). The content of Cx40 was obviously reduced and the distribution of Cx40 was disordered in group B compared with A (0.199 ± 0.007 vs 0.241 ± 0.004, P < 0.01) which could be partly reversed in group C and D (0.239 ± 0.037, 0.235 ± 0.006 vs 0.199 ± 0.007, P < 0.01). All parameters in group C and D were similar (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe chronically elevated AngII content in myocardium may be related to atrial fibrosis and Cx40 remodeling in this model, valsartan and U0126 were equivalent on attenuating atrial fibrosis and Cx40 remodeling by inhibiting ERK pathways at different levels.

Animals ; Butadienes ; pharmacology ; Connexins ; metabolism ; Fibrosis ; Heart Atria ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nitriles ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan

AIMTo investigate whether the selective AT1 receptor antagonist irbesartan exerts neuroprotective effect on focal cerebral ischemia in normotensive rats.

METHODSCerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min followed by reperfusion, with the monitoring of laser Doppler flowmetry. To avoid the interaction with peripheral AT1 receptors, irbesartan was infused intracerebroventricularly (ICV) at a dose which effectively inhibited brain- but not vascular AT1 receptors. Neurological status was evaluated daily after MCAO. Rats were killed and brain samples were collected for the measurement of infarct size and immunohistochemical evaluation of apoptosis by deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and expression of activated Caspase-3 and the cleavage fragment of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP).

RESULTSTreatment with irbesartan improved significantly the neurobehavioral functions after cerebral ischemia. The infarct size was reduced about 42% on day 7 after MCAO (P < 0.05). Meanwhile,irbesartan treatment significantly decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the penumbra. The expression of activated Caspase-3 and the downstream cleavage fragment of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in the penumbra were also inhibited by irbesartan therapy on day 3 after transient cerebral ischemia.

CONCLUSIONAngiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist exhibits neuroprotection against transient cerebral ischemia in the brain. The neuroprotective effects in ischemic tissue may be associated with its inhibition of apoptotic cell death in the penumbra.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Cerebral Infarction ; pathology ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Lateral Ventricles ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan

Benzimidazoles ; pharmacology ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives

The purpose of study was to investigate the effects of L-arginine and cilostazol on platelet-activation and aggregation reserve in vitro, so as to provide proof for selecting reversible activation-inhibitors for platelets lyophilization. Activation and function of platelets were investigated by using flow cytometry with the CD62p and PAC-1 expression and re-expression after being activated by thrombin, and by means of platelet aggregation reaction to thrombin, ADP and propyl gallate, as well as coagulation activity of platelets. The results showed that expression of CD62p and PAC-1 increased after being pretreated. Both L-arginie and cilostazol could inhibit CD62p and PAC-1 expression and related with their concentrations. Cilostazol had an intensive inhibition effect on expressions of CD62p and PAC-1 induced by thrombin, and the inhibition increased when concentration augmented. L-arginine had the same effects on PAC-1, but had no effects on CD62p. L-arginine and cilostazol inhibited aggregation induced by thrombin, ADP and propyl gallate, and the inhibitions were related directly with dosage. When L-arginine concentration was higher or equal to 15 mmol/L, or cilostazol concentration was in range of 1 - 4 mmol/L, the aggregation time were prolonged so much or even no aggregation. It is concluded that when L-Arginine concentration is 5 mmol/L and 10 mmol/L, platelet activation can be inhibited, but aggregation ability and characters keep intact. Concentration at 5 mmol/L may be the best. 1 mmol/L of cilostazol can inhibit activation in vitro and retain part of platelet ability of aggregation and reexpression.
Arginine ; pharmacology ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Humans ; P-Selectin ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Platelet Activation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathogenic changes of myocardial apoptosis in heart hypertrophy during hypertension and evaluate the anti-apoptosis effect of Valsartan.

METHODSThirty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were divided into two groups: 15 treated with Valsartan (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) (SHR + Valsartan group), the others with placebo (SHR + placebo group), with 15 normal Wistar rats as control. Systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. The observation period was from 8 to 16 weeks of age. Cardiac apoptosis was evaluated by a Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-Mediated dUTP-biotin Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) assay.

RESULTSMean blood pressure values were 127 +/- 2 mm Hg in controls, 163 +/- 6 mm Hg in the SHR + Valsartan group and 193 +/- 7 mm Hg in the SHR + placebo group at 16 weeks of age, whereas the blood pressure in 8-week-old SHR and Wistar rats were 175 +/- 3 mm Hg and 125 +/- 5 mm Hg, respectively. The ratio of the heart weight over body weight declined in Wistar (3.07 +/- 0.03 mg/g) and SHR + Valsartan groups (3.22 +/- 0.19 mg/g) compared with the SHR + placebo group (4.02 +/- 0.31 mg/g) (P < 0.05). The density of TUNEL-positive cells in Wistar and SHR +/- Valsartan groups was 23.3 +/- 3.3 nuclei/HPF and 35.0 +/- 1.3 nuclei/HPF, both of which were significantly less than that of the SHR + placebo group (116.7 +/- 11.3 nuclei/HPF).

CONCLUSIONSIn response to chronic pressure overload, cardiomyocyte-specific apoptosis contributes to the transition from compensatory hypertrophy to decompensation. Apoptosis may be effectively inhibited by Valsartan in the early stage of hypertension.

Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cardiomegaly ; pathology ; Hypertension ; pathology ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Wistar ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan

Ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) is one of the ways utilized for selective degradation of many proteins in cells, and the 20S proteasome takes the functional machinery where hydrolysis of targeted proteins takes place. Based on existing peptide inhibitors, a series of novel tripeptidic tetrazoles have been designed, synthesized, and the structures have been confirmed with 1H NMR, MS and elemental analysis. Among them, three compounds (6b, 6d and 6h) showed inhibitory activities of ChT-L of 20S proteasome.
Biological Assay ; Drug Design ; Molecular Structure ; Oligopeptides ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; chemistry ; Proteasome Inhibitors ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Tetrazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of valsartan on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated by ox-LDL.

METHODSHUVECs were cultured in endothelial basal medium and divided into four groups (n = 5 each): group I, control group without any treatment; group II: HUVECs stimulated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) in endothelial basal medium for 24 hours; group III: HUVECs treated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) and valsartan (10 µmol/L) in endothelial basal medium for 24 hours; group IV: HUVECs treated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) and valsartan (30 µmol/L) in endothelial basal medium for 24 hours. Expression of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSExpression of and COX-2 mRNA was significantly higher in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs than in control group (1.478 ± 0.104 vs. 0.366 ± 0.104, P < 0.05), while expression of COX-1 mRNA was similar between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Valsartan dose-dependently decreased the COX-2 mRNA expression (group III vs. group II: 1.074 ± 0.112 vs. 1.478 ± 0.104, P < 0.05; group IV vs. group II: 0.664 ± 0.104 vs. 1.478 ± 0.104, P < 0.05). Expression of COX-1 mRNA in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs was not affected by valsartan.

CONCLUSIONSCOX-2 mRNA expression in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs could be reduced by valsartan suggesting valsartan might attenuate atherosclerosis by reducing ox-LDL-induced inflammatory responses.

Cells, Cultured ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; adverse effects ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the dosage of irbesartan and the renal tissue structure in diabetic rats.

METHODSMale Wistar rats was given a single intraperitoneal dose (mg/kg) of streptozotocin to induce diabetes. The diabetic rats were randomized into 4 groups and received 4 weeks later 25 mg/kg (n=9), 50 mg/kg (n=9), 200 mg/kg (n=9) irbesartan intragastrically, or equal volume of water (model group, n=11) on a daily basis. Seven normal rats receiving with equal volume of water served as the normal control. All the rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks and the 24-hour albumin excretion, renal mass index and the volume of the glomerulus were measured.

RESULTSThe 24-hour albumin excretion, renal mass index and volume of the glomerulus in the 3 irbesartan groups were significantly decreased as compare with those in the model group; the reductions in 50 and 200 mg/kg irbesartan groups were significant greater than those in 25 mg/kg irbesartan group.

CONCLUSIONIrbesartan can decrease the 24-hour urinary albumin excretion and relive glomerulopathy in diabetic rats. Within a certain dose range, irbesartan produces a dose-dependent protective effect on the renal structures in the diabetic rats.

Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; pathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tetrazoles ; adverse effects ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of irbesartan on the proliferation, apoptosis, and VEGF mRNA expression of human umbilical vein cell line EA.hy926 in vitro.

METHODSThe human umbilical vein cell line EA.hyY926 were treated with various concentrations of irbesartan for 24 h. The cell proliferation after the treatment was detected by CCK8 assay, flow cytometry and FITC Annexin V/PI kit were used to detect changes in the cell apoptosis. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of VEGF mRNA.

RESULTSThere were no changes in cell shape with various concentration of irbesartan. CCK-8 assay showed a greater rate of the cell proliferation in irbesartan group than that in control group with a dose-independent manner after 24 h treatment. After incubation with irbesartan, cell proliferation rate was significant (P < 0.05). FCM analysis showed no significantly changes in the cell apoptosis. Irbesartan increased the proliferation of EA.hy926 cells. At concentration of 1 x 10(-4), 1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-6) mol/L, VEGF mRNA expression enhanced either (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIrbesartan could promote the proliferation and up-regulated VEGFmRNA expression in EA.hy926 cell line. This result suggested that in addition to antihypertensive effect, angiotensin receptor antagonist might be a novel therapeutic approach to chronic ischemic heart disease as heart failure.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism