A1059 Telmisartan upregulates ACE2-Ang-(1–7)-Mas axis and affects retinal vessel endothelial cell apoptosis

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of angiotensin II antagonist telmisartan regulate the ACE2-Ang-(1–7)-Mas axis in rats with spontaneous hypertension and effects on retina endothelial cell apoptosis. Methods: Thirty-three spontaneous hypertension rats were divided into 3 groups (SHR, SHRT and SHRTA group), the SHRT group were treated with telmisartan 10 mg/(kg.d) by intragastric administration, the SHRTA group were treated with telmisartan 10 mg/(kg.d) by intragastric administration and A-779 0.5 mg/(kg.d) by intravenous injection at the same time. After 24 weeks, rats were sacrificed. Results: The expression of retinal ACE2 mRNA and protein in SHR group is lower in both groups of WKY and SHRT. The expression of retinal ACE2 mRNA and protein in SHRT group has no significantly differently compared with SHRTA group. The expression of retinal MAS mRNA and protein in SHR group is lower in both groups of WKY and SHRT, the expression of retinal MAS mRNA and protein in SHRTA group is lower than the SHRT group. The ELISA of serum Ang-(1–7) shows the expression of Ang-(1–7) protein in SHR group is lower in both groups of WKY and SHRT, the expression of Ang-(1–7) protein in SHRTA group is lower than the SHRT group. Specimens of retinal vessel in SHR group shows a large area of cell-free capillary was emerged in SHR group, and artery stenosis partially, there were no shadows of pericytes and endothelial cells in retinal capillary. The positive TUNEL cells are staining brown. The apoptosis rates of capillary in SHR group is lower in both groups of WKY and SHRT, the apoptosis rates of capillary in SHRTA group is lower than the SHRT group. Conclusion: Telmisartan can upregulate the ACE2-Ang-(1–7)-Mas axis in retina and protect the apoptosis in retina vessel endothelial cell.