We studied hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) release in response to ANG II from preglomerular microvessels (PGMVs), the vascular segment governing changes in renal vascular resistance. PGMVs were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and incubated with NADPH and hormones at 37 degrees C. Eicosanoids were extracted, and cytochrome P-450 (CYP)-derived HETEs were purified and quantitated by negative chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. PGMVs produced primarily 20- and 19-HETEs, namely, 7.9 +/- 1.7 and 2.2 +/- 0.5 ng/mg protein, respectively. ANG II (5 nM) increased CYP-HETE release by two- to threefold; bradykinin, phenylephrine, and Ca(2+) ionophore were without effect. [Sar(1)]ANG II (0.1-100 microM) dose dependently stimulated 19- and 20-HETEs, an effect blocked by the AT(2)-receptor antagonist PD-123319 as well as by U-73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor. Microvascular 20-HETE release was increased more than twofold by the third day in response to ANG II (120 ng. kg(-1). min(-1)) infused subcutaneously for 2 wk; it was not further enhanced after 14 days, although blood pressure continued to rise. Thus an AT(2)-phospholipse C effector unit is associated with synthesis of a vasoconstrictor product, 20-HETE, in a key renovascular segment.

We concluded that Ac-SDKP may be an important mediator of the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of ACEi in hypertension independent of its hemodynamic effects.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) play a critical physiological role in energy homeostasis, in inflammation, and a protective role in cardiovascular function. We assessed the antioxidant effect of clofibrate-induced Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) stimulation on ischemic myocardium on myocardial morphology and hemodynamics. Male Wistar rats (300 g) were distributed into the following groups: (1) Sham, (2) myocardial ischemia vehicle treated (MI-V), and (3) myocardial ischemia clofibrate [100 mg/kg/ intraperitoneally) treated (MI-C). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation increased in MI-V, whereas clofibrate prevented this effect. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1 and SOD-2 expression increased 4 times upon PPARα stimulation. SOD-1, SOD-2, and catalase activity also increased in response to clofibrate. eNOS mRNA and tetrahydrobiopterin increased in the MI-C group. Clofibrate was able to decrease Angiotensin II (AngII), AngII AT1-receptor, whereas Ang-(1-7) and AngII AT2-receptor expression increased. Assessment of myocardial morphology and cardiac function show that clofibrate improved histological features and hemodynamic parameters. Our results suggest that PPARα stimulation by clofibrate increases the antioxidant defense, leading to improved cardiac function.

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation promotes oxidative stress which increases the risk of cardiac dysfunction in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and favors local insulin resistance. Fibrates regulate RAS improving MetS, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. We studied the effect of fenofibrate treatment on the myocardic signaling pathway of Angiotensin II (Ang II)/Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) and its relationship with oxidative stress and myocardial insulin resistance in MetS rats under heart ischemia. Control and MetS rats were assigned to the following groups: (a) sham; (b) vehicle-treated myocardial infarction (MI) (MI-V); and (c) fenofibrate-treated myocardial infarction (MI-F). Treatment with fenofibrate significantly reduced triglycerides, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), insulin levels and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) in MetS animals. MetS and MI increased Ang II concentration and AT1 expression, favored myocardial oxidative stress (high levels of malondialdehyde, overexpression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4), decreased total antioxidant capacity and diminished expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)1, SOD2 and catalase) and inhibited expression of the insulin signaling cascade: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PkB, also known as Akt)/Glut-4/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). In conclusion, fenofibrate treatment favors an antioxidant environment as a consequence of a reduction of the Ang II/AT1/NOX4 signaling pathway, reestablishing the cardiac insulin signaling pathway. This might optimize cardiac metabolism and improve the vasodilator function during myocardial ischemia.

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