Influence of atorvastatin on angiotensin I metabolism in resting and TNF-α -activated rat vascular smooth muscle cells

Introduction: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential for maintaining vasculature homeostasis and function. By influence on its growth and activation both proinflammatory cytokines and peptides of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) are potent regulators of VSMCs. Interestingly, angiotensi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maciej Suski, Anna Gębska, Rafal Olszanecki, Aneta Stachowicz, Danuta Uracz, Jozef Madej, Ryszard Korbut
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publications 2014-12-01
Series:Journal of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/1470320313475907
Description
Summary:Introduction: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential for maintaining vasculature homeostasis and function. By influence on its growth and activation both proinflammatory cytokines and peptides of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) are potent regulators of VSMCs. Interestingly, angiotensin (Ang) II and Ang-(1–7) elicit opposite effects on VSMC activation, differentiation and proliferation. It has been suggested that statins, besides anti-inflammatory effects, may also modulate VSMC activation by their influence on the RAS. Methods: The effect of atorvastatin on Ang I metabolism in a culture of explanted rat VSMCs was examined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS); expression of mRNA of the main RAS enzymes in VSMC was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: In VSMC culture Ang-(1–7) was identified as a major product of Ang I metabolism. In this setting, TNF-α (1 ng/ml) caused a decrease in the conversion of Ang I to Ang-(1–7). This effect was accompanied by a decrease of mRNA expression of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and increase of mRNA of ACE. Interestingly, atorvastatin (3 μM) attenuated the effects of TNF-α on Ang-(1–7) production as well as reversed the influence of TNF-α on ACE and ACE2 expression. Conclusions: Enhancement by atorvastatin of the ACE2/Ang-(1–7) axis in VSMCs could represent a new and beneficial mechanism on cardiovascular action of this widely used drug.
ISSN:1470-3203
1752-8976