Influence of Ang-(1-7) intervention on ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas pathway activity, hepatic glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in type-2 diabetic rats

Abstract

Purpose: To study the effects of angiotensin-(1-7) (angiot (1-7) intervention on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-angiot-(1-7)-Mas pathway, hepatic glucose metabolism, and insulin resistance in rats with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control, diabetic control and study groups (12 rats per group). Rats in the normal group were fed normal feed, while rats in the observation and diabetic control groups were type-2 diabetes model, and were given subcutaneous injection of angiot-(1-7) for 8 weeks. Serum insulin resistance index (IRI) and fasting insulin (FINS) were assayed. Other parameters measured were the levels of ACE2 and Mas receptor mRNA in liver tissues. Results: The levels of FINS in the study and control groups decreased, relative to normal control, while the levels of IRI was elevated (p < 0.05). There were significant increases in study group levels of Mas and ACE2, while angiot-(1-7) was lower, relative to control group (p < 0.05). The expressions of ACE2 and Mas receptors in study and diabetic control rats groups were downregulated, when compared to normal control. The expressions of ACE2 and Mas receptors also decreased in the study group exposed to angiot-(1-7) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Angiot-(1-7) significantly increases the levels of FINS and IR, improves hepatic glucose metabolism and enhances ACE2-angiot-(1-7)-Mas pathway. Thus, angiot-(1-7) may be a new drug candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.