Abstract-In this study we investigated the effects of the genetic deletion of the angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) receptor Mas on heart function. Localization of Mas in the mouse heart was evaluated by binding of rhodamine-labeled Ang-(1-7). Cardiac function was examined using isolated heart preparations. Echocardiography was used to confirm the results obtained with isolated heart studies. To elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in the cardiac phenotype observed in Mas Ϫ/Ϫ mice, whole-cell calcium currents in cardiomyocytes and the expression of collagen types I, III, and VI and fibronectin were analyzed. Ang-(1-7) binding showed that Mas is localized in cardiomyocytes of the mouse heart. Isolated heart techniques revealed that Mas-deficient mice present a lower systolic tension (average: 1.4Ϯ0.09 versus 2.1Ϯ0.03 g in Mas ϩ/ϩ mice), ϮdT/dt, and heart rate. A significantly higher coronary vessel resistance was also observed in Mas-deficient mice. Echocardiography revealed that hearts of Mas-deficient mice showed a significantly decreased fractional shortening, posterior wall thickness in systole and left ventricle end-diastolic dimension, and a higher left ventricle end-systolic dimension. A markedly lower global ventricular function, as defined by a higher myocardial performance index, was observed. A higher delayed time to the peak of calcium current was also observed. The changes in cardiac function could be partially explained by a marked change in collagen expression to a profibrotic profile in Mas-deficient mice. These results indicate that Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis plays a key role in the maintenance of the structure and function of the heart. (Hypertension. 2006;47:996-1002.)

Abstract-In this study we evaluate the effects of angiotensin-(1-7) on reperfusion arrhythmias in isolated rat hearts. Rat hearts were perfused according to Langendorff technique and maintained in heated (37Ϯ1°C) and continuously gassed (95% O 2 /5% CO 2 ) Krebs-Ringer solution at constant pressure (65 mm Hg). The electrical activity was recorded with an ECG (bipolar). Local ischemia was induced by coronary ligation for 15 minutes. After ischemia, hearts were reperfused for 30 minutes. Cardiac arrhythmias were defined as the presence of ventricular tachycardia and/or ventricular fibrillation after the ligation of the coronary artery was released. Angiotensin II (0.20 nmol/L, nϭ10) produced a significant enhancement of reperfusion arrhythmias. On the other hand, Ang-(1-7) presented in the perfusion solution (0.22 nmol/L, nϭ11) reduced incidence and duration of arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmogenic effects of Ang-(1-7) was blocked by the selective Ang-(1-7) antagonist A-779 (2 nmol/L, nϭ9) and by indomethacin pretreatment (5 mg/kg IP, nϭ8) but not by the bradykinin B 2 antagonist HOE 140 (100 nmol/L, nϭ10) or by L-NAME pretreatment (30 mg/kg IP, nϭ8). These results suggest that the antiarrhythmogenic effect of low concentrations of Ang-(1-7) is mediated by a specific receptor and that release of endogenous prostaglandins .by Ang-(1-7) contributes to the alleviation of reversible and/or irreversible ischemia-reperfusion injury. Key Words: heart Ⅲ angiotensin II Ⅲ angiotensin antagonist Ⅲ renin-angiotensin system Ⅲ nitric oxide Ⅲ prostaglandins

Angiotensin-(1-7) [ANG-(1-7)] is a recently described heptapeptide product of the renin-angiotensin system. Because biosynthesis of ANG-(1-7) increases in animals treated with cardioprotective drugs and inactivation of the gene for angiotensin converting enzyme 2 [an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of ANG-(1-7)] leads to the development of cardiac dysfunction, it has been suggested that ANG-(1-7) has cardioprotective properties. To directly test this possibility, we have generated transgenic rats that chronically overproduce ANG-(1-7) by using a novel fusion protein methodology. TGR(A1-7)3292 rats show testicular-specific expression of a cytomegalovirus promoter-driven transgene, resulting in a doubling of circulating ANG-(1-7) compared with nontransgenic control rats. Radiotelemetry hemodynamic measurements showed that transgenic rats presented a small but significant increase in daily and nocturnal heart rate and a slight but significant increase in daily and nocturnal cardiac contractility estimated by dP/d t measurements. Strikingly, TGR(A1-7)3292 rats were significantly more resistant than control animals to induction of cardiac hypertrophy by isoproterenol. In addition, transgenic rats showed a reduced duration of reperfusion arrhythmias and an improved postischemic function in isolated Langendorff heart preparations. These results support a cardioprotective role for circulating ANG-(1-7) and provide a novel tool for evaluating the functional role of ANG-(1-7).

Abstract-The aim of this study was to evaluate the angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) effects in isolated mouse hearts. The hearts of male C57BL/6J and knockout mice for the Ang-(1-7) receptor Mas were perfused by the Langendorff method. After a basal period, the hearts were perfused for 20 minutes with Krebs-Ringer solution (KRS) alone (control) or KRS containing Ang-(1-7) (0.22 pmol/L), the Mas antagonist A-779 (115 nmol/L), the angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist losartan (2.2 mol/L), or the angiotensin type 2 receptor antagonist PD123319 (130 nmol/L). To evaluate the involvement of Ang receptors, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide in the Ang-(1-7) effects, the hearts were perfused for 20 to 30 minutes with KRS containing either A-779, losartan, PD123319, indomethacin, or N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) alone or in association with subsequent Ang-(1-7) perfusion. In addition, hearts from Mas-knockout mice were perfused for 20 minutes with KRS containing Ang-(1-7) (0.22 pmol/L) and losartan. Ang-(1-7) alone did not change the perfusion pressure. Strikingly, in the presence of losartan, 0.22 pmol/L Ang-(1-7) induced a significant decrease in perfusion pressure, which was blocked by A-779, indomethacin, and L-NAME. Furthermore, this effect was not observed in Mas-knockout mice. In contrast, in the presence of PD123319, Ang-(1-7) produced a significant increase in perfusion pressure. This change was not modified by the addition of A-779. Losartan reduced but did not abolish this effect. Our results suggest that Ang-(1-7) produces complex vascular effects in isolated, perfused mouse hearts involving interaction of its receptor with angiotensin type 1-and type 2-related mechanisms, leading to the release of prostaglandins and nitric oxide. Key Words: receptors, angiotensin Ⅲ cardiac function Ⅲ heart Ⅲ angiotensin antagonist Ⅲ prostaglandins I n the last decade, the classic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) concept has undergone important changes. 1,2 Many novel biologically active components were described, such as angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7), Ang III, and Ang IV. Ang-(1-7) is now considered an important component of the RAS, with actions similar to or even opposite those displayed by Ang II. 1,3,4 Moreover, chronic treatment with Ang-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin type 1 (AT 1 ) receptor blockers increases plasma Ang-(1-7) levels up to 25-fold, [5][6][7] suggesting that this heptapeptide could be involved in the beneficial effects observed with these therapies. 5,8 In addition, many studies have observed that Ang-(1-7) has a bradykinin-potentiating activity in several vascular beds and species. 9 -13 Recently, using mice with targeted disruption of the Mas proto-oncogene 14 and Mas-transfected cells, Santos et al 15 identified Ang-(1-7) as an endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor encoded by Mas. 15 Furthermore, the novel Ang-(1-7)-forming enzyme ACE2 16,17 has been reported to be an important regulator of the RAS. 18 This enzyme can form Ang-(1-7) by at least 2 different pathways: dire...