Hypertension induced by peri-pubertal protein restriction depends on renin-angiotensin system dysfunction in adult male rats

• Published in: Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases
• Main Authors: Ferreira, Anna Rebeka Oliveira, Ribeiro, Maiara Vanusa Guedes, Peres, Maria Natalia Chimirri, Lopes, Gabriel Kian Guimarães, Saavedra, Lucas Paulo Jacinto, Piovan, Silvano, Barbosa, Leticia Ferreira, Raposo, Scarllet Rodrigues, Almeida, Douglas Lopes, Malta, Ananda, Teixeira, Jorge Juarez Vieira, Mathias, Paulo Cezar de Freitas, Palma-Rigo, Kesia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 19-09-2024
• Subjects: Angiotensin 2; Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD); Hypertension; Low protein diet; Peri-pubertal; Hypertension; Angiotensin 2; Peri-pubertal; Low protein diet; Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)
• ISSN: 0939-4753; 1590-3729; 1590-3729
• DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2024.09.003

Hypertension depends on renin-angiotensin system dysfunction; however, little is known about its implications in the outcomes of neurogenic hypertension induced by peri-pubertal insults. This study aimed to evaluate whether hypertension induced by a peri-pubertal low-protein diet is related to renin-angiotensin system dysfunction in adult male Wistar rats.
Thirty-day-old male Wistar rats were fed a low-protein diet (4 % casein) for 30 days and subsequently fed a 20.5 % normal protein diet for a 60-day dietary recovery (LP group). Control animals (NP group) were fed a 20.5 % protein diet throughout their lives. Cardiovascular and renin–angiotensin system functions were evaluated on postnatal day 120 (6–24 animals per group). Statistical analyses were performed using the Student's t-test. Animals with LP show increased arterial blood pressure. The angiotensin 2 dose-response curve of LP animals showed an increase in the pressor response at a lower dose (50 ng/kg) and a reduction in the pressor response at a higher dose (400 ng/kg) compared with NP animals. Angiotensin 2 type 1 receptor mRNA levels were increased in the hearts of LP animals; however, angiotensin 2 type 2 receptor and MAS receptor mRNA levels were reduced. In the aorta, AT1 and AT2 mRNA levels were increased in LP animals, whereas MAS receptor mRNA levels were decreased in comparison to NP animals.
The renin-angiotensin system is disrupted in hypertension induced by protein restriction exposure during peri-pubertal life.
•LP animals showed a greater pressure response to lower dose of angiotensin 2.•LP group showed a higher angiotensin 2 circulating.•LP group showed a greater ACE1 and AT1 mRNA expression in the heart and aorta.•LP group showed a decrease in ACE2 and MAS mRNA expression in the heart and aorta.