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Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion
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Protective effect of long-term angiotensin II inhibition

Nidia Basso1, Rosa Cini, Adriana Pietrelli

  • 1Cardiovascular Pathophysiology Institute, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. nidiabasso@yahoo.com

American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology
|June 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Chronic inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) using enalapril or losartan protected aging rats' cardiovascular system. Both treatments significantly extended lifespan, highlighting the AT(1) receptor

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Angiotensin II (ANG II) via its type 1 receptor (AT(1)) promotes cardiovascular hypertrophy and fibrosis.
  • Aging leads to detrimental cardiovascular changes, including hypertrophy and fibrosis.
  • The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a crucial role in cardiovascular regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if long-term RAS inhibition prevents age-related cardiovascular damage in rats.
  • To compare the efficacy of a converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI) and an AT(1) receptor blocker (AT(1)RB) in mitigating these effects.
  • To determine if the protective effects are mediated through AT(1) receptors.

Main Methods:

  • Adult rats were divided into three groups: control, CEI (enalapril), and AT(1)RB (losartan).
  • Treatment began 2 weeks post-weaning and continued long-term, with spontaneous death allowed.
  • Cardiovascular structure, function, blood pressure, and body weight were assessed at 6 and 18 months.

Main Results:

  • Both enalapril and losartan treatments significantly protected the cardiovascular system from age-related deterioration.
  • Histological analysis revealed abolished cardiac and aortic changes at 18 months in treated groups.
  • Both treatments significantly and similarly prolonged the lifespan of the rats compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic inhibition of the RAS, either via CEI or AT(1)RB, effectively prevents age-associated cardiovascular damage in rats.
  • The findings strongly suggest that the deleterious effects of aging on the cardiovascular system are largely mediated through AT(1) receptors.
  • RAS blockade offers a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating cardiovascular aging and extending lifespan.

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