Angiotensin-(1–7) Inhibits Vascular Remodelling in Rat Jugular Vein Grafts via Reduced ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK Activity

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of angiotensin (Ang)-(1–7) on vascular remodelling in a rat autologous jugular vein graft model in which rats underwent autologous jugular vein graft transplantation (Ang-[1–7] and control groups) or sham surgery (sham group). The animals received continuous jugular infusion of Ang-(1–7) at 25 μg/kg per h (Ang-[1–7] group) or normal saline (control and sham groups) starting 3 days after surgery. Ang-(1–7) infusion reduced venous graft hyperplasia, vascular remodelling, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and α-smooth muscle actin compared with control animals. The vascular tissue Ang II level was higher in Ang-(1–7) and control rats than in sham animals. These findings suggest that Ang-(1–7) acts by inhibiting the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in vascular tissue. The use of exogenous Ang-(1–7) could improve the outcome of vein grafting through the attenuation of vascular remodelling.