European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

VALSARTAN INHIBITS PROLIFERATION OF MESANGIAL CELLS BY DOWN-REGULATING mRNA AND PROTEIN EXPRESSION OF ANGIOTENSIN II TYPE 1 RECEPTOR

Qi-Xiong Li*, Xiao-Ye Jaing and Jin Li

ABSTRACT

Background and aims. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor activation has been shown to be associated with glomerular injury and glomerular disease. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist valsartan on angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression in cultured rat mesangial cells. Methods: Rat mesangial cells were treated with one of the following: (1) control; (2) solvent; (3) valsartan (10−6mol/L, 10−5mol/L) for 14 hr. The proliferation of rat mesangial cells was assessed by 3- (4,5-dimethyltiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide. The expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor mRNA was determined by semi-quantitative real-time PCR assay and protein levels were detected by western blotting. Results: Valsartan inhibited cell proliferation and down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor in rat mesangial cells. These levels were significantly lower than control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Because angiotensin II type 1 receptor has a central role in the development and progression of glomerular diseases, valsartan down-regulation of angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression of mesangial cells may provide beneficial effects to the glomerular injury.

Keywords: Valsartan, Angiotensin II type-1 receptor, Mesangial cells, Proliferation, Expression.