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Li-li ZHAO, Hong-juan CHEN, Jun-zhu CHEN, Min YU, Yun-lan NI, Wei-fang ZHANG. Losartan reduced connexin43 expression in left ventricular myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B, 2008, 9(6): 448-454.
@article{title="Losartan reduced connexin43 expression in left ventricular myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats",
author="Li-li ZHAO, Hong-juan CHEN, Jun-zhu CHEN, Min YU, Yun-lan NI, Wei-fang ZHANG",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science B",
volume="9",
number="6",
pages="448-454",
year="2008",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/jzus.B0820050"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Losartan reduced connexin43 expression in left ventricular myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats
%A Li-li ZHAO
%A Hong-juan CHEN
%A Jun-zhu CHEN
%A Min YU
%A Yun-lan NI
%A Wei-fang ZHANG
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B
%V 9
%N 6
%P 448-454
%@ 1673-1581
%D 2008
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/jzus.B0820050
TY - JOUR
T1 - Losartan reduced connexin43 expression in left ventricular myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats
A1 - Li-li ZHAO
A1 - Hong-juan CHEN
A1 - Jun-zhu CHEN
A1 - Min YU
A1 - Yun-lan NI
A1 - Wei-fang ZHANG
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science B
VL - 9
IS - 6
SP - 448
EP - 454
%@ 1673-1581
Y1 - 2008
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1631/jzus.B0820050
Abstract: Objective: To assess the effect of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan on myocardium connexin43 (Cx43) gap junction (GJ) expression in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and investigate possible mechanisms. Methods: Sixteen 9-week-old male SHRs and 8 age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were included in this study. SHRs were randomly divided into two groups to receive losartan at 30 mg/(kg·d) by oral gavage once daily for 8 weeks (SHR-L) or vehicle (0.9% saline) to act as controls (SHR-V); WKY rats receiving vehicle for 8 weeks served as normotensive controls. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and the hearts were removed. Expressions of Cx43 and nuclear factor-kappaB p65 (NF-κb p65) proteins in all three groups were observed and further investigations on the effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan (30 mg/(kg·d), 8 weeks) on Cx43 expression were conducted with Western blot and immunohistochemistry. NF-κB p65 protein in nuclear extracts was determined by Western blot. Results: left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy was prominent in SHRs, Cx43 and NF-κB p65 protein expressions were obviously upregulated and Cx43 distribution was dispersed over the cell surface. Treatment with losarton reduced the over-expressions of Cx43 and NF-κB p65 in LV myocardium. The distribution of Cx43 gap junction also became much regular and confined to intercalated disk after losartan treatment. Conclusion: Cx43 level was upregulated in LV myocardium of SHR during early stage of hypertrophy. angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan prevented Cx43 gap junction remodeling in hypertrophied left ventricles, possibly through the NF-κB pathway.
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