Mechanism of Ang-(1-7) inhibiting myocardial hypertrophy

AIM: To observe the effect of angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] on the expressions of metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) protein and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) mRNA and study the mechanism by which Ang-(1-7) inhibits the myocardial hypertrophy. METHODS: Rats were randomized into 3 groups: control group, norepinephrine(NE) group and NE+Ang-(1-7)group (n=10 per group). The expression of MMP-1 protein was determined by Western blot and the expression of TIMP- 1 mRNA by RT-PCR in rat hearts. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression of MMP-1 protein decreased significantly in NE group (P0.01), and increased in NE+Ang-(1-7) group (P0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of TIMP-1 mRNA decreased significantly in NE+Ang-(1-7)group (P0.01), and increased in NE group (P0.01). CONCLUSION: The Ang-(1-7) can inhibit myocardial hypertrophy.