Improvement of Vascular Insulin Sensitivity by Ranolazine
Sol Guerra-Ojeda1, Adrian Jorda1,2, Constanza Aldasoro1
1Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, 46010 València, Spain.
Abstract:
Ranolazine (RN) is a drug used in the treatment of chronic coronary ischemia. Different clinical trials have shown that RN behaves as an anti-diabetic drug by lowering blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. However, RN has not been shown to improve insulin (IN) sensitivity. Our study investigates the possible facilitating effects of RN on the actions of IN in the rabbit aorta. IN induced vasodilation of the abdominal aorta in a concentration-dependent manner, and this dilatory effect was due to the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the formation of nitric oxide (NO). On the other hand, IN facilitated the vasodilator effects of acetylcholine but not the vasodilation induced by sodium nitroprusside. RN facilitated all the vasodilatory effects of IN. In addition, IN decreased the vasoconstrictor effects of adrenergic nerve stimulation and exogenous noradrenaline. Both effects were in turn facilitated by RN. The joint effect of RN with IN induced a significant increase in the ratio of p-eNOS/eNOS and pAKT/AKT. In conclusion, RN facilitated the vasodilator effects of IN, both direct and induced, on the adrenergic system. Therefore, RN increases vascular sensitivity to IN, thus decreasing tissue resistance to the hormone, a key mechanism in the development of type II diabetes.
Insights
Ranolazine enhances insulin
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Ranolazine (RN) treats chronic coronary ischemia.
- Clinical trials suggest RN has anti-diabetic properties, lowering blood glucose and HbA1c.
- RN's effect on insulin sensitivity remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Ranolazine's potential to facilitate insulin's actions in the rabbit aorta.
- To understand the mechanisms behind RN's interaction with insulin signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Studied insulin-induced vasodilation and its relation to eNOS phosphorylation and NO formation.
- Examined RN's effect on insulin's vasodilator and vasoconstrictor modulation.
- Assessed the impact of combined RN and insulin on p-eNOS/eNOS and pAKT/AKT ratios.
Main Results:
- Insulin induced concentration-dependent vasodilation via eNOS phosphorylation and NO.
- RN potentiated all vasodilatory effects of insulin.
- RN facilitated insulin's ability to decrease adrenergic vasoconstriction.
- Combined RN and insulin significantly increased p-eNOS/eNOS and pAKT/AKT.
Conclusions:
- Ranolazine enhances both direct and indirect vasodilator effects of insulin.
- RN increases vascular sensitivity to insulin by reducing tissue resistance.
- This mechanism is crucial for understanding and potentially treating type II diabetes.
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