P-534: Perindopril improves angiogenesis in myocardium of obese zucker rats

• Published in: American journal of hypertension Vol. 16; no. S1; p. 231A
• Main Authors: Toblli, Jorge E., Cao, Gabriel, DeRosa, Graciela, Forcada, Pedro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01-05-2003
• Subjects: ACE inhibitors; Angiogenesis; Obese Zucker Rats
• ISSN: 0895-7061; 1941-7225; 1879-1905
• DOI: 10.1016/S0895-7061(03)00707-6

Diabetes and hypertension are associated with vascular rarefaction in various tissues. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor throughout NO production. Additionally, ACE inhibitors have demonstrated some angiogenic effect. Our objective was to study possible angiogenic effect of perindopril (P) on VEGF in myocardium of obese Zucker rats (OZR), which is a well-known animal model of human syndrome X, and lean Zucker rats (LZR) as control. G1 OZR (n=10); G2 OZR+P(n=10); G3 LZR(n=10). G2 with P 3mg/kg/day for 6 months. Hearts were processed for high-resolution light microscopy (HRLM), immunohistochemistry with monoclonal anti-VEGF. The numerical density of myocytes and coronary capillaries was determined by counting the total number of myocytes and vessels £ 8 m. We evaluated: 1-myocyte diameter (Md); 2-density of myocytes/area (Dm); 3-density of capillaries/area (Dc), 4-Dm /Dc ratio; and 5- % VEGF /area. At the end of the experiment (6th month): Systolic Blood Pressure mmHg (G1: 152.4* ± 3; G2: 127 ± 3.2; G3 124.2 ± 1.7). Md (m) (G1: 32.7 ± 2.6*; G2: 21.2 ± 1; G3: 20.9 ± 2.1). Dm (G1: 19.6 ± 2.1*; G2: 47.3 ± 1.5; G3: 47 ± 1.1). Dc (G1: 10.1 ± 1.7*; G2:31.2 ± 2.7 G3: 31.4 ± 3.1). Dm/Dc ratio (G1: 2 ± 0.4*; G2: 1.5 ± 0.1; G3: 1.5 ± 0.1). % VEGF (G1: 1.04 ± 0.03*; G2: 7.45 ± 2.45; G3: 2.29 ± 0.43).*p<.01 vs.G2 y G3. Positive correlation (p<.01) was observed between % VEGF and Dc in all groups. G2 (OZR+P) showed lower Md; higher Dc, Dm and % VEGF with better Dm/Dc ratio than OZR (G1). On the other hand, OZR (G1) presented vascular rarefaction associated with a decrease in VEGF in myocardium. P seems to restore this situation by increase VEGF and, therefore, improve angiogenesis in this animal model.