Abstract:

Objective   To establish the rat model with left ventricular hypertrophy by coarctation of abdominal aorta above superior mesenteric artery and to evaluate protective effects of olmesartan on kidney injuries. Methods   Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group(n=13) and operating group(n=26). Then the surgical rats were subdivided into olmesartan-treated group(1mg/kg·d)) and hypertension(HTN) group. Seven weeks after treatments, left ventricular hypertrophy and kidney injuries were analyzed in vivo by M-mode echocardiography and ultrasonography respectively. AngiotensinⅡ( Ang Ⅱ) in plasma and renal tissue was observed by ELISA method. Morphologic features and collagen deposition in kidneys were examined by Masson staining. Expressions of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results   Compared with HTN group, renal parenchymal echogenicity was unchanged and renal vascular resistive index was lower in olmesartan group by doppler ultrasound examination. Moreover olmesartan significantly decreased Ang Ⅱin the renal local tissue, prevented formation of tubulointerstitial fibrosis and inhibited the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 proteins. Conclusion   Olmesartan is able to protect kidney against the injury induced by abdominal aortic banding, which might due to decreased expression of AngⅡin kidney and the inhibition of apoptosis pathway.

Key words: Olmesartan; Abdominal aortic banding; Tubulointerstitial fibrosis; AngiotensinⅡ; Apoptosis