Abstract 15161: Adiponectin Exerts a Protective Role Against Vascular Remodeling During Hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is associated with leptin production and ROS formation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and contributes to vascular remodeling. Adiponectin (ADQ) has a cardioprotective role on the heart, but the protective role of ADQ on VSMC during hypertension has not been fully elucidated yet. Hypothesis: Mechanical stretch/hypertension is associated with a low ADQ/leptin ratio in VSMC, leading to VSMC remodeling. Methods: To mimic hypertension, the rat portal vein was cultured either mechanically stretched with 1.2 gram weights (due to the force-length relationship normalized to the human force of stretch during hypertension and the longitudinal orientation of its VSMC) or left unstretched. ADQ, leptin, eNOS, p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT expression in VSMC was evaluated by Western blot. The protective effect of adiponectin (5-10 μg/ml; 15 min-24 hr) was investigated on ROS formation by DHE staining and on hypertrophy by protein synthesis via [ 3 H]leucine incorporation. Results: Mechanical stretch for 24 hr reduced the expression of ADQ in VSMC (0.49 ± 0.08 fold, n=6, p<0.05) and increased leptin (2.51 ± 0.39 fold, n=6, p<0.05) compared to controls. Stretch (24 hr) decreased ADQ mRNA expression by 0.31 ± 0.11 fold (n=7, p<0.05) and ADQ receptor R2 by 0.51 ± 0.21 fold (n=7, p<0.05) but had no effect on ADQ receptor R1 (n=8). This effect of stretch was associated with increased protein synthesis by 1.39 ± 0.06 fold (n=6, p<0.05), while exogenous ADQ significantly inhibited stretch-induced hypertrophy (n=6, p<0.05). Stretch (15 min) increased p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT by 2.10 ± 0.25 and 4.03 ± 0.61 fold respectively (n=5, p<0.05), but ADQ reduced p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT by 0.82 ± 0.26 and 0.55 ± 0.25 fold respectively (n=3, p<0.05) in stretched vessels. eNOS expression decreased by 0.70 ± 0.06 fold (n=5, p<0.05) after stretch for 24 hr, while ADQ increased eNOS in stretched veins by 2.02 ± 0.41 fold (n=3, p<0.05). Stretch for 1 hr increased ROS by 5.69 ± 0.13 fold (n=3, p<0.05), whereas ADQ significantly inhibited ROS in stretched vessels (1.71 ± 0.22 fold, n=3). Conclusion: Mechanical stretch reduces the ADQ/leptin ratio in VSMC. ADQ plays a protective role against vascular remodeling during hypertension by affecting eNOS, ERK, AKT, ROS and hypertrophy.