Novel Antihypertension Mechanism of β-Glucan by Corin and ANP-Mediated Natriuresis in Mice

Abstract

Many of the b-glucans are known to have antihypertensive activities, but, except for angiotensin-converting enzyme II inhibition, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Corin is an atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-converting enzyme. Activated corin cleaves pro-ANP to ANP, which regulates water-sodium balance and lowers blood pressure. Here, we reported a novel antihypertensive mechanism of b-glucans, involved with corin and ANP in mice. We showed that multiple oral administrations of b-glucan induced the expression of corin and ANP, and also increased natriuresis in mice. Microarray analysis showed that corin gene expression was only upregulated in mice liver by multiple, not single, oral administrations of the b-glucan fraction of Phellinus baumii (BGF). Corin was induced in liver and kidney tissues by the b-glucans from zymosan and barley, as well as by BGF. In addition to P. baumii, b-glucans from two other mushrooms, Phellinus linteus and Ganoderma lucidum, also induced corin mRNA expression in mouse liver. ELISA immunoassays showed that ANP production was increased in liver tissue by all the b-glucans tested, but not in the heart and kidney. Urinary sodium excretion was significantly increased by treatment with b-glucans in the order of BGF, zymosan, and barley, both in 1% normal and 10% high-sodium diets. In conclusion, we found that the oral administration of b-glucans could induce corin expression, ANP production, and sodium excretion in mice. Our findings will be helpful for investigations of b-glucans in corin and ANP-related fields, including blood pressure, saltwater balance, and circulation.

Effect of Water-Pipe Smoking on the Normal Development of Zebrafish

“…Therefore, these peptides serve as good markers to assess patients with suspected acute heart failure and help with the diagnosis. ANP stimulates the kidney to increase its excretion and cause blood vessels relaxation [ 33 , 34 ]. When the blood volume increases, BNP or Ventricular Natriuretic Peptide is secreted in heart ventricles by cardiomyocytes, causing stretching to the ventricles [ 35 , 36 ].…”

Recent Advances in the Preparation, Structure, and Biological Activities of β-Glucan from Ganoderma Species: A Review

“…Besides the biological activities mentioned above, β-D-glucan from Ganoderma species exerts other bioactivities, including antimicrobial [42], hepatoprotective [65], anticoagulant [106], antihypertension [107] properties. Meanwhile, Pillai et al showed [108] that β-D-glucan from G. lucidum exhibited a radioprotective activity with a DNA repairing capacity in human lymphocytes exposed to γ-radiation.…”