Lactation Leads to Modifications in Maternal Renin-Angiotensin System in Later Life

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Biology

Background:

• Maternal physiological changes during lactation can impact long-term health.
• The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a crucial role in cardiovascular regulation.
• Understanding the link between lactation and maternal cardiovascular health is vital for disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the cardioprotective phenotype observed in post-lactated mice.
• To determine how lactation affects the expression of key RAS components in various tissues later in life.

Main Methods:

• CD-1 female mice were divided into lactated and non-lactated groups post-delivery.
• Tissues were collected 6 months after delivery for analysis.
• Protein levels of angiotensinogen, ACE, ACE2, AT1R, AT2R, and MAS receptor were quantified using Western blot.

Main Results:

• Lactated mice showed significantly lower angiotensinogen in the liver and decreased ACE in lungs and kidneys compared to non-lactated mice.
• Elevated levels of AT2R were found in the kidney and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of lactated mice.
• Increased ACE2 in VAT and heart, and MAS receptor in VAT, were observed in the lactated group.

Conclusions:

• Lactation induces differential regulation of RAS components, with some upregulated and others downregulated in lactated mice.
• These alterations in the RAS may contribute to the observed maternal cardioprotective phenotype later in life.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms linking lactation to long-term cardiometabolic benefits for potential therapeutic applications in women's cardiovascular disease prevention.