• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.263-270
• /
• 2005

Transactivation of EGF-receptor (EGFR) by G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) is emerging as an important pathway in cell proliferation, which plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerotic lesion. Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been identified to have a major role in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. We hypothesize that Ang II promotes the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells through the release of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor like growth factor (HB-EGF), transactivation of EGFR and activation of Akt and Erk 1/2, with matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) playing a dispensable role. Primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells were used in this study. Smooth muscle cells rendered quiescent by serum deprivation for 12 h were treated with Ang II (100 nM) in the presence of either GM6001 ($20{\mu}M$), a specific inhibitor of MMPs or AG1478 ($10{\mu}M$), an inhibitor of EGFR. The levels of phosphorylation of EGFR, Akt and Erk 1/2 were assessed in the cell lysates. Inhibition of MMPs by GM6001 significantly attenuated Ang II-stimulated phosphorylation of EGFR, suggesting that MMPs may be involved in the transactivation of EGFR by Ang II receptor. Furthermore Ang II-stimulated proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells were significantly blunted by inhibiting MMPs and EGFR and applying HB-EGF neutralization antibody, indicating that MMPs, HB-EGF and EGFR activation is necessary for Ang-II stimulated migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Our results suggest that inhibition of MMPs may represent one of the strategies to counter the mitogenic and motogenic effects of Ang II on smooth muscle cells and thereby prevent the formation and development of atherosclerotic lesions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 1999.06a
• /
• pp.59-59
• /
• 1999

Circulating substances can directly access the neurons in circumventricular organ (CVO) located on the border of cerebral ventricles. The neurons in CVO are considered to playa pivotal role in blood-brain communication. In subfonical organ (SFO), a CVO in forebrain, angiotensin II (AII) is mown to reduce A type $K^{＋}$ current and input resistance, but enhance firing rate.(omitted)

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.525-534
• /
• 1998

신장 근위세뇨관세포들은 사구체에서 여과된 물질의 재흡수, 분비 및 대사에 관여하는 여러 호르몬들의 수용체들을 가지고 있다. 이들중에서 norepinephrine(NE)과 angiotensin II(ANG II)는 $Na^{+}/H^+$ 상호운반계를 조절함으로써 혈압조절에 관여하는 것으로 알려져 있으나 이들의 상호관계에 대해선 연구보고가 많지 않다. 본 연구는 초대배양한 토끼신장 근위세뇨관세포를 이용한 $Na^+$ uptake 실험을 통하여 NE이 어떠한 수용체를 통하여 $Na^{+}/H^+$ 상호운반계를 조절하는지 그리고 이러한 작용에 있어서 NE과 ANG II의 상호관계를 알아보고자 실시하였다. NE(>$10^{-9}M$)은 $Na^+$ uptake를 유의성 있게 증가시켰다($10^{-9}M$ NE : $27{\pm}4%$ increase vs. Control;p < 0.05). $\alpha$ 길항제(phentolamine, $10^{-10}M$)는 NE($10^{-9}M$)에 의해 유도된 $Na^+$ uptake를 유의성 있게 차단하였으나 (phentolamine+NE : $29{\pm}5%$ inhibition vs. NE ; p〈 0.05), ${\alpha}_1$ (pra-zosin, $10^{-10}M$) 및 ${\alpha}_2$ 길항제(yohimbine, $10^{-10}M$)는 부분적으로 차단하였다. ${\beta}$ 길항제(propra-nolol, $10^{-10}M$)도 역시 NE에 의해 유도된 $Na^+$ uptake를 유의성 있게 차단하였으나(propranolol+NE : $24{\pm}6%$ inhibition vs. NE ; p< 0.05), ${\beta}_1$(atenolol, $10^{-10}M$) 및 ${\beta}_2$ 길항제(butoxamine, $10^{-10}M$)는 부분적으로 차단하였다. 이러한 결과들은 NE에 의해 유도된 $Na^+$ uptake 증가작용은 ${\alpha}$(${\alpha}_1$ 및 ${\alpha}_2$ )와 ${\beta}$(${\beta}_1$ 및 ${\beta}_2$) 수용체 모두를 통하여 일어난다는 것을 시사해주고 있다. ANG II($10^{-11}M$) 또는 NE(${\alpha}_1$, ${\alpha}_2$, ${\beta}_1$, ${\beta}_2$ 작동제) 단독처리군의 $Na^+$ uptake는 대조군에 비해 유의성 있게 증가하였으나 (ANG II : $23{\pm}9%$ increase vs. Control; p < 0.05), 병합처리시 상승작용은 나타나지 않았다. ${\alpha}$ 또는 ${\beta}$ 길항제 처리시 NE 및 ANG II에 의해 유도되었던 $Na^+$ uptake 증가는 유의성 있게 차단되었다(phentolamine+NE+ANG II : $25{\pm}3%$ inhibition, propranolol+NE+ANG II : $24{\pm}6%$ inhibition vs. NE+ANG II, respectively ; p〈 0.05). 이 결과들은 $Na^+$ uptake에 있어서 ${\alpha}$(${\alpha}_1$ 및 ${\alpha}_2$)와 ${\beta}$(${\beta}_1$ 및 ${\beta}_2$) 수용체와 ANG II의 관련성을 시사해 준다. 결론적으로 토끼 신장 근위세뇨관세포에서 NE은 ${\alpha}_1$, ${\alpha}_2$, ${\beta}_1$ 및 ${\beta}_2$ 수용체를 통하여 $Na^+$+ uptake를 증가시켰으며 이들 수용체는 ANG II $Na^+$ uptake 증가작용에 관여하였다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.447-456
• /
• 2018

Angiotensin-(1-9) [Ang-(1-9)], generated from Ang I by Ang II converting enzyme 2, has been reported to have protective effects on cardiac and vascular remodeling. However, there is no report about the effect of Ang-(1-9) on pulmonary hypertension. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether Ang-(1-9) improves pulmonary vascular remodeling in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats. Sprague-Dawley rats received Ang-(1-9) ($576{\mu}g/kg/day$) or saline via osmotic mini-pumps for 3 weeks. Three days after implantation of osmotic mini-pumps, 50 mg/kg MCT or vehicle were subcutaneously injected. MCT caused increases in right ventricular weight and systolic pressure, which were reduced by co-administration of Ang-(1-9). Ang-(1-9) also attenuated endothelial damage and medial hypertrophy of pulmonary arterioles as well as pulmonary fibrosis induced by MCT. The protective effects of Ang-(1-9) against pulmonary hypertension were inhibited by Ang type 2 receptor ($AT_2R$) blocker, but not by Mas receptor blocker. Additionally, the levels of LDH and inflammatory cytokines, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, MCP-1, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6, in plasma were lower in Ang-(1-9) co-treated MCT group than in vehicle-treated MCT group. Changes in expressions of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bax, Bcl2, Caspase-3 and -9 in the lung tissue of MCT rats were attenuated by the treatment with Ang-(1-9). These results indicate that Ang-(1-9) improves MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension by decreasing apoptosis and inflammatory reaction via $AT_2R$.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.192-205
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It is known that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the brain could regulate cognitive functions as well as blood pressure. Inhibition of RAS for the improvement of cognitive function may be a new strategy, but studies so far have mostly reported on the effects of RAS inhibition by drugs, and there is no research on cognitive improvement through RAS inhibition of food ingredients. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of curcumin on blood pressure and cognitive function and its related mechanism in spontaneously hypertensive rat/Izm (SHR/Izm). MATERIALS/METHODS: Six-week-old SHR/Izm rats were divided into 5 groups: control group (CON), scopolamine group (SCO, drug for inducing cognitive deficits), positive control (SCO and tacrine [TAC]), curcumin 100 group (CUR100, SCO + Cur 100 mg/kg), and curcumin 200 group (CUR200, SCO + Cur 200 mg/kg). Changes in blood pressure, RAS, cholinergic system, and cognitive function were compared before and after cognitive impairment. RESULTS: The SCO group showed increased blood pressure and significantly reduced cognitive function based on the y-maze and passive avoidance test. Curcumin treatments significantly improved blood pressure and cognitive function compared with the SCO group. In both the CUR100 and CUR200 groups, the mRNA expressions of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II receptor type1 (AT1), as well as the concentrations of angiotensin II (Ang II) in brain tissue were significantly decreased. The mRNA expression of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) and acetylcholine (ACh) content was significantly increased, compared with the SCO group. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of curcumin improved blood pressure and cognitive function in SCO-induced hypertensive mice, indicating that the cholinergic system was improved by suppressing RAS and AT1 receptor expression and increasing the mAChR expression.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Fisheries Technology Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.97-98
• /
• 2001

순환기계 질병의 원인이 되는 동시에 뇌출혈, 심장병 및 신장병 등과 합병증으로 나타날 경우 치사율이 매우 높은 만성 퇴행성 질환인 고혈압의 90％ 이상을 차지하는 본태성 고혈압은 정상적인 혈압을 유지하는 기구들이 천천히 붕괴되어 진행되는 질병이다(Frohlich, 1982). 이러한 본태성 고혈압의 원인 중에서 reninㆍangiotensin계가 혈압조절에 매우 중요한 역할을 한다고 알려지고 있다(Saxena, 1992). 즉, angiotensinogen이 renin의 분해를 받아서 angiotensin I을 생성하는데, 이는 angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE)에 의하여 COOH 말단의 dipeptide가 절단되어 강력한 혈관수축작용을 하는 angiotensin II를 생성한다. (중략)

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2017

Obesity is a critical risk factor for the hypertension. Although angiotensin II (Ang II) in obese individuals is known to be upregulated in obesity-induced hypertension, direct evidence that explains the underlying mechanism for increased vascular tone and consequent increase in blood pressure (BP) is largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the novel mechanism underlying Ang II-induced hyper-contractility and hypertension in obese rats. Eight-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with 60% fat diet or normal diet for 4 months. Body weight, plasma lipid profile, plasma Ang II level, BP, Ang II-induced vascular contraction, and expression of regulatory proteins modulating vascular contraction with/without Ang II stimulation were measured. As a result, high fat diet (HFD) accelerated age-dependent body weight gaining along with increased plasma Ang II concentration. It also increased BP and Ang II-induced aortic contraction. Basal expression of p-CPI-17 and myosin light chain (MLC) kinase was increased by HFD along with increased phosphorylation of MLC. Ang II-induced phosphorylation of CPI-17 and MLC were also higher in HFD group than control group. In conclusion HFD-induced hypertension is through at least in part by increased vascular contractility via increased expression and activation of contractile proteins and subsequent MLC phosphorylation induced by increased Ang II.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.135.2-135
• /
• 2003

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II by cleaving C-terminal dipeptide of angiotensin I and inactivates bradykinin. ACE inhibitors have been screened from various food sources since the inhibitors decrease blood pressure. Therefore, in this study, an ACE inhibitor was isolated and purified from squid ink using membrane filtration, gel permeation chromatography, normal phase HPLC, and fast protein liquid chromatography. The purified inhibitor was identified to be a molecular mass of 294 by mass spectrometry, and to have IC$\sub$50/ value of 4.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.61-74
• /
• 1992

Influence of the blockade of the three major pressor systems-sympathetic nervous system (SNS), renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and vasopressin system-on the pressor responsiveness to norepinephrine (NE), angiotensin II (AII), and vasopressin (VP) as well as on basal blood pressure (BP) levels was investigated in urethane-anesthetized rabbits. To block the SNS and RAS, chlorisondamine (CS) and pirenzepine (PZ), sympathetic ganglionic blockers, and enalapril (ENAL), an inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme, respectively were used. And for suppressing the VP system bremazocine (BREM), a kappa opiate receptor agonist shown to suppress plasma levels of VP, was employed. Each of CS (0.4 mg/kg), ENAL (2 mg/kg), and BREM (0.25 mg/kg) produced almost same levels of steady hypotensive state. The hypotensive effect of BREM was significantly attenuated by desmopressin, a synthetic VP-like analogue, suggesting the hypotension being at least in part due to suppression of plasma levels of VP. CS, ENAL and BREM elicited further fall of the BP which had been lowered by ENAL or BREM, CS or BREM, and CS or ENAL, respectively. The hypotension produced by both CS and PZ together with either of ENAL or BREM was more marked than that produced by the three drugs other than CS. CS potentiated the pressor response not only to NE but to AII and VP. The pressor effect of AII was increased by ENAL and BREM, too. The pressor response to VP was also enhanced by BREM. Blockade of ${\alpha}-adrenergic$ receptors with phentolamine or phenoxybenzamine potentiated the pressor response to AII and that to VP. The results on basal BP levels indicate that the three major pressor systems are all participating in control of BP, but SNS has the greatest potential for supporting BP. The finding that blockade of one of the pressor systems induced enhanced pressor responsiveness to the pressor hormone of that particular system as well as to the pressor hormone(s) of the other systems(s) provides evidence for important interactions among the three major pressor systems.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 2018

Many studies reported reduced antioxidant capacity in the vasculature under hypertensive conditions. However, little is known about the effects of antihypertensive treatments on the regulation of vascular antioxidant enzymes. Thus, we hypothesized that antihypertensive treatments prevent the reduction of antioxidant enzyme activity and expression in the small vessels of angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats (ANG). We observed the small mesenteric arteries and small renal vessels of normotensive rats (NORM), ANG, and ANG treated with a triple antihypertensive therapy of reserpine, hydrochlorothiazide, and hydralazine (ANG + TTx). Systolic blood pressure was increased in ANG, which was attenuated by 2 weeks of triple therapy (127, 191, and 143 mmHg for NORM, ANG, and ANG + TTx, respectively; p < 0.05). Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the small mesenteric arteries of ANG was lower than that of NORM. The protein expression of SOD1 was lower in ANG than in NORM, whereas SOD2 and SOD3 expression was not different between the groups. Reduced SOD activity and SOD1 expression in ANG was not restored in ANG + TTx. Both SOD activity and SOD isoform expression in the small renal vessels of ANG were not different from those of NORM. Interestingly, SOD activity in the small renal vessels was reduced by TTx. Between groups, there was no difference in catalase activity or expression in both the small mesenteric arteries and small renal vessels. In conclusion, SOD activity in the small mesenteric arteries decreased by angiotensin II administration, but not by hypertension, which is caused by decreased SOD1 expression.