Yi Fei Dong

Perindopril, a centrally active angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, prevents cognitive impairment in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

The purpose of this work was to test whether brain‐penetrating angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (e.g., perindopril), as opposed to non‐brain‐penetrating ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril and imidapril), may reduce the cognitive decline and brain injury in Alzheimers disease (AD). We first compared the effect of perindopril, enalapril, and imidapril on cognitive impairment and brain injury in a mouse model of AD induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of amyloid‐β (Aβ)1–40. Perindopril, with significant inhibition of hippocampal ACE, significantly prevented cognitive impairment in this AD mouse model. This beneficial effect was attributed to the suppression of microglia/astrocyte activation and the attenuation of oxidative stress caused by iNOS induction and extracellular superoxide dismutase down‐regulation. In contrast, neither enalapril nor imidapril prevented cognitive impairment and brain injury in this AD mouse. We next examined the protective effects of perindopril on cognitive impairment in PS2APP‐transgenic mice overexpressing Aβ in the brain. Perindopril, without affecting brain Aβ deposition, significantly suppressed the increase in hippocampal ACE activity and improved cognition in PS2APP‐transgenic mice, being associated with the suppression of hippocampal astrocyte activation and attenuation of superoxide. Our data demonstrated that the brain‐penetrating ACE inhibitor perindopril, as compared to non‐brain‐penetrating ACE inhibitors, protected against cognitive impairment and brain injury in experimental AD models.—Dong, Y. ‐F., Kataoka, K., Tokutomi, Y., Nako, H., Nakamura, T., Toyama, K., Sueta, D., Koibuchi, N., Yamamoto, E., Ogawa, H., Kim‐Mitsuyama, S. Perindopril, a centrally active angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, prevents cognitive impairment in mouse models of Alzheimers disease. FASEB J. 25, 2911–2920 (2011). www.fasebj.org

Pravastatin Enhances Beneficial Effects of Olmesartan on Vascular Injury of Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Rats, via Pleiotropic Effects

Objective—This work was undertaken to investigate comparative effect of AT1 receptor blocker (ARB), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG) coenzymeA (CoA) reductase inhibitor (statin), and their combination on vascular injury of salt-sensitive hypertension. Methods and Results—Salt-loaded Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rats (DS rats) were treated with (1) vehicle, (2) hydralazine (5 mg/kg/d), (3) olmesartan (0.5 mg/kg/d), (4) pravastatin (100 mg/kg/d), and (5) combined olmesartan and pravastatin for 4 weeks. Olmesartan or pravastatin significantly and comparably improved vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine, coronary arterial remodeling, and eNOS activity of DS rats. Olmesartan prevented vascular eNOS dimer disruption or the downregulation of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) more than pravastatin, whereas Akt phosphorylation was enhanced by pravastatin but not olmesartan, indicating differential pleiotropic effects between olmesartan and pravastatin. Add-on pravastatin significantly enhanced the improvement of vascular endothelial dysfunction and remodeling by olmesartan in DS rats. Moreover, pravastatin enhanced the increase in eNOS activity by olmesartan, being associated with additive effects of pravastatin on phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS. Conclusions—Olmesartan and pravastatin exerted beneficial vascular effects in salt-sensitive hypertension, via differential pleiotropic effects. Pravastatin enhanced vascular protective effects of olmesartan. Thus, the combination of ARB with statin may be the potential therapeutic strategy for vascular diseases of salt-sensitive hypertension.

Pioglitazone Exerts Protective Effects Against Stroke in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats, Independently of Blood Pressure

Background and Purpose— Very recent subgroup analysis from the PROspective pioglitAzone Clinical Trial In macroVascular Events has shown that pioglitazone reduces the risk of recurrent stroke in type 2 diabetic patients. However, the underlying mechanism of stroke prevention by pioglitazone is unknown. Our aim was to examine the effect of pioglitazone on hypertension-based stroke in rats. Methods— Pioglitazone (1 mg · kg−1 · d−1) was orally administered to stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) to examine the effect on incidental stroke, cerebrovascular injury, brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by hypertension. Results— Treatment of SHRSP with pioglitazone for 4 weeks, without affecting blood pressure and blood glucose values, improved vascular endothelial dysfunction (P<0.05), suppressed remodeling of the middle cerebral artery (P<0.05) and brain microvessels (P<0.05), and inhibited brain macrophage infiltration (P<0.05) and the upregulation of brain monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-&agr; expression (P<0.01). Furthermore, pioglitazone treatment significantly delayed the onset of stroke signs and death in SHRSP (P<0.05). These beneficial effects of pioglitazone on cerebrovascular injury and stroke in SHRSP were associated with a reduction of brain and vascular superoxide via the inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity. Conclusions— Our work provides the first evidence that pioglitazone significantly protects against hypertension-induced cerebrovascular injury and stroke by improving vascular endothelial dysfunction, inhibiting brain inflammation, and reducing oxidative stress. These beneficial effects of pioglitazone were independent of blood pressure or blood sugar values. Thus, pioglitazone appears to be a potential therapeutic agent for stroke in type 2 diabetes with hypertension.

Excess Salt Causes Cerebral Neuronal Apoptosis and Inflammation in Stroke-Prone Hypertensive Rats Through Angiotensin II-Induced NADPH Oxidase Activation

Background and Purpose— The precise mechanism of salt-induced brain injury is unclear. We examined the detailed causative role of angiotensin II and NADPH oxidase in salt-accelerated brain injury of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). Methods— We examined the effect of salt loading on brain reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammation, and apoptosis in SHRSP. Salt-loaded SHRSP were given vehicle, valsartan (an angiotensin AT1 receptor blocker), or hydralazine to compare their efficacy on brain injury. We also examined the efficacy of apocynin (a NADPH oxidase inhibitor) on brain injury of salt-loaded SHRSP. Results— Cerebral NADPH oxidase activity and ROS in SHRSP were already increased at 1 week after salt loading followed by the significant increase in ED-1-positive cells and neuronal apoptosis. Thus, cerebral NADPH oxidase activation preceded cerebral inflammation and neuronal apoptosis. Despite comparable hypotensive effects between valsartan and hydralazine in salt-loaded SHRSP, valsartan reduced cerebral NADPH oxidase activity and ROS more than hydralazine being accompanied by more prevention of stroke by valsartan than hydralazine. Valsartan, but not hydralazine, prevented neuronal apoptosis, being associated with the suppression of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 activation by valsartan. Moreover, cerebral inflammation was also prevented by valsartan more than hydralazine, being associated with more suppression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-&agr; expressions by valsartan. Thus, angiotensin II was directly involved in salt-induced neuronal NADPH oxidase activation, ROS, apoptosis, and inflammation in SHRSP. Apocynin attenuated the enhancement of ROS, cerebral inflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 activation and prevented stroke in salt-loaded SHRSP, indicating the causative role of cerebral NADPH oxidase in salt-induced brain injury. Conclusion— We obtained the evidence that excess salt, through ROS produced by angiotensin II-activated NADPH oxidase, caused cerebral neuronal apoptosis and inflammation as well as stroke in SHRSP.

Beneficial Effects of Pioglitazone on Hypertensive Cardiovascular Injury Are Enhanced by Combination With Candesartan

The effect of pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor &ggr; agonist, on hypertensive cardiovascular injury is unknown. We examined the effect of pioglitazone on hypertensive cardiovascular injury and the significance of combination of pioglitazone with angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker. Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were orally given pioglitazone, candesartan, or combined pioglitazone and candesartan for 4 weeks to compare their effects on cardiovasucular injury. Pioglitazone, without lowering blood pressure, significantly suppressed cardiac inflammation and fibrosis and reduced vascular endothelial dysfunction, and these beneficial effects were associated with the reduction of superoxide by inhibition of cardiovascular NADPH oxidase. Thus, pioglitazone protects against hypertensive cardiovascular injury, by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS). Combination of pioglitazone and candesartan suppressed cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation, and interstitial fibrosis of SHRSP to a greater extent than either monotherapy, and reduced vascular endothelial dysfunction of SHRSP more than either monotherapy. Furthermore, more beneficial effects of their combination on cardiovascular injury were associated with more reduction of NADPH oxidase–mediated cardiovascular ROS. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism, we examined cardiovascular NADPH oxidase subunits. Pioglitazone monotherapy significantly attenuated cardiovascular p22phox and Rac1 in SHRSP, whereas pioglitazone combined with candesartan more attenuated p22phox and significantly reduced Nox1. Thus, additive suppression of cardiovascular NADPH oxidase by the combination was attributed to its additive attenuation of p22phox and Nox1 protein levels. In conclusion, we showed that pioglitazone protected against hypertensive cardiovascular damage, and the combination of pioglitazone and candesartan exerted more beneficial effects on hypertensive cardiovascular injury by more suppressing ROS.

Aliskiren Enhances the Protective Effects of Valsartan Against Cardiovascular and Renal Injury in Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase–Deficient Mice

The protective effect of aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, against hypertensive cardiovascular and renal injury remains to be defined. This study was undertaken to examine the protective effects of the combination of aliskiren and valsartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, against cardiovascular and renal injury. Endothelial NO synthase–deficient mice, subjected to cuff injury of femoral artery, were divided into 5 groups and were treated with the following: (1) vehicle; (2) aliskiren (25 mg/kg per day); (3) valsartan (8 mg/kg per day); (4) combined aliskiren (12.5 mg/kg per day) and valsartan (4 mg/kg per day); and (5) hydralazine (10 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. Aliskiren and valsartan alone markedly and similarly suppressed cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation and fibrosis, and coronary remodeling; prevented cuff injury–induced arterial intimal thickening; and reduced urinary albumin excretion, glomerular inflammation, and glomerulosclerosis in endothelial NO synthase–deficient mice. These beneficial effects of aliskiren and valsartan were associated with the significant attenuation of oxidative stress in these tissues. Hence, aliskiren and valsartan markedly exert the protective effects against cardiovascular and renal injury through the reduction of oxidative stress. Furthermore, compared with monotherapy with aliskiren or valsartan, the combination of a half dose of these drugs more greatly improved the above-mentioned cardiovascular and renal injuries of endothelial NO synthase–deficient mice, which were associated with greater attenuation of tissue oxidative stress by the combination therapy. Thus, the combination of aliskiren and valsartan exerts the synergistic organ-protective effects through synergistic attenuation of oxidative stress. The combination of aliskiren and valsartan seems to be a promising therapeutic strategy for hypertensive organ injury caused by endothelial NO synthase dysfunction.

Novel Mechanism and Role of Angiotensin II–Induced Vascular Endothelial Injury in Hypertensive Diastolic Heart Failure

Objective—The mechanism and role of angiotensin II–induced vascular endothelial injury is unclear. We examined the molecular mechanism of angiotensin (AII)-induced vascular endothelial injury and its significance for hypertensive diastolic heart failure. Methods and Results—We compared the effect of valsartan and amlodipine on Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rats (DS rats). Valsartan improved vascular endothelial dysfunction of DS rats more than amlodipine, by inhibiting endothelial apoptosis and eNOS uncoupling more. Moreover, valsartan inhibited vascular apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) more than amlodipine. Thus, AT1 receptor contributed to vascular endothelial apoptosis, eNOS uncoupling, and ASK1 activation of DS rats. Using ASK1−/− mice, we examined the causative role of ASK1 in endothelial apoptosis and eNOS uncoupling. AII infusion in wild-type mice markedly caused vascular endothelial apoptosis and eNOS uncoupling accompanied by vascular endothelial dysfunction, whereas these effects of AII were absent in ASK1−/− mice. Therefore, ASK1 participated in AII-induced vascular endothelial apoptosis and eNOS uncoupling. Using tetrahydrobiopterin, we found that eNOS uncoupling was involved in vascular endothelial dysfunction in DS rats with established diastolic heart failure. Conclusion—AII-induced vascular endothelial apoptosis and eNOS uncoupling were mediated by ASK1 and contributed to vascular injury in diastolic heart failure of salt-sensitive hypertension.

Attenuation of Brain Damage and Cognitive Impairment by Direct Renin Inhibition in Mice With Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion

The role of the renin-angiotensin system in cognitive impairment is unclear. This work was undertaken to test our hypothesis that renin-angiotensin system may contribute to cognitive decline and brain damage caused by chronic cerebral ischemia. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery stenosis with microcoil to prepare mice with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, a model of subcortical vascular dementia. The effects of aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, or Tempol, a superoxide scavenger, on brain damage and working memory in these mice were examined. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion significantly increased brain renin activity and angiotensinogen expression in C57BL/6J mice, which was attributed to the increased renin in activated astrocytes and microvessels and the increased angiotensinogen in activated astrocytes in white matter. Aliskiren pretreatment significantly inhibited brain renin activity and ameliorated brain p67phox-related NADPH oxidase activity, oxidative stress, glial activation, white matter lesion, and spatial working memory deficits in C57BL/6J mice with bilateral common carotid artery stenosis. To elucidate the role of oxidative stress in brain protective effects of aliskiren, we also examined the effect of Tempol in the same mice with bilateral common carotid artery stenosis. Tempol pretreatment mimicked the brain protective effects of aliskiren in this mouse model. Posttreatment of mice with aliskiren or Tempol after bilateral common carotid artery stenosis also prevented cognitive decline. In conclusion, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced the activation of the brain renin-angiotensin system. Aliskiren ameliorated brain damage and working memory deficits in the model of chronic cerebral ischemia through the attenuation of oxidative stress. Thus, direct renin inhibition seems to be a promising therapeutic strategy for subcortical vascular dementia.

Critical Role of Apoptosis Signal-Regulating Kinase 1 in Aldosterone/Salt-Induced Cardiac Inflammation and Fibrosis

The molecular mechanism underlying aldosterone/salt-induced cardiovascular injury remains to be defined. This work was undertaken to determine the role of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) in the mechanism underlying aldosterone-induced cardiac injury in vivo. We compared the in vivo effects of 4 weeks of aldosterone/salt treatment on wild-type and ASK1-deficient mice. Aldosterone infusion plus high salt intake in wild-type mice significantly increased blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion and decreased plasma potassium concentrations, and these effects of aldosterone/salt were not affected by ASK1 deficiency. Thus, ASK1 seems to play a minor role in aldosterone-induced hypertension and renal injury. ASK1 deficiency also failed to affect aldosterone-induced cardiac hypertrophy. However, ASK1 deficiency markedly ameliorated aldosterone-induced cardiac injury, eg, the enhancement of cardiac macrophage infiltration, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 expression, interstitial fibrosis, perivascular fibrosis, and transforming growth factor-&bgr;1 and collagen type I expressions. Thus, ASK1 participates in aldosterone-induced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. Furthermore, the enhancement of NADPH oxidase–mediated cardiac oxidative stress caused by aldosterone infusion was markedly lessened by ASK1 deficiency, which was associated with the significant amelioration by ASK1 deficiency of aldosterone-induced cardiac Nox2 upregulation. Furthermore, aldosterone/salt treatment significantly enhanced cardiac expression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II type 1 receptor in wild-type mice, whereas the enhancement of these proteins by aldosterone/salt was abolished by ASK1 deficiency. Our results demonstrate that ASK1 is implicated in aldosterone/salt-induced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis through the enhancement of NADPH oxidase-mediated oxidative stress and the upregulation of the cardiac renin-angiotensin system.

Olmesartan Prevents Cardiovascular Injury and Hepatic Steatosis in Obesity and Diabetes, Accompanied by Apoptosis Signal Regulating Kinase-1 Inhibition

Dietary obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, although the underlying mechanism is unknown. This study was undertaken to elucidate the role of angiotensin II and apoptosis signal regulating kinase-1 (ASK1) in obesity/diabetes-associated cardiovascular complications and hepatic steatosis. Mice fed a high-fat diet were treated with olmesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, to elucidate the role of angiotensin II in diabetic mice. Treatment of mice fed a high-fat diet with olmesartan markedly suppressed cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, as well as vascular endothelial dysfunction and remodeling, induced by obesity/diabetes. Moreover, olmesartan suppressed the disruption of the vascular endothelial NO synthase dimer in diabetic mice. Olmesartan also significantly prevented hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in diabetic mice. These beneficial effects of olmesartan on diabetic mice were associated with the attenuation of ASK1 activation in these mice. ASK1-deficient mice and wild-type mice were compared, regarding the effects of a high-fat diet. A comparison between ASK1-deficient and wild-type mice showed that ASK1 deficiency attenuated cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, as well as vascular endothelial dysfunction and remodeling induced by obesity/diabetes. The amelioration of vascular endothelial impairment by ASK1 deficiency was attributed to the prevention of endothelial NO synthase dimer disruption. ASK1 deficiency also significantly lessened hepatic steatosis in diabetic mice. In conclusion, our work provided the evidence that ASK1 is significantly activated in diet-induced diabetic mice and contributes to cardiovascular diseases and hepatic steatosis in diabetic mice. Moreover, the beneficial effects of angiotensin II inhibition on dietary diabetic mice seem to be mediated by the inhibition of ASK1 activation.