Genistein has been shown to increase nitric oxide (NO) production derived from endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). This study was to investigate whether genistein could prevent myocardial hypertrophy in the 2-kidney 1-clip (2K1C) renohypertensive rat through the NO pathway and to clarify the underlying mechanisms. After the 2K1C operation, plasma angiotensin II increased, and the rats developed significant left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and increased collagen I expression. Phosphorylated eNOS, NOS activity, NO production and cGMP contents were markedly decreased in ventricular tissues of 2K1C rats. Chronic administration of genistein to 2K1C rats restored NO, NOS activity, phosphorylated eNOS expression, cGMP in ventricular tissues, and the restoration was parallel with the improvement of LVH and attenuated the excessive ventricular collagen I expression. Genistein also elevated angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2) expression, and the effects of genistein on LVH could be completely abolished by an AT2 antagonist, PD123319. The antagonist also reversed the increase in eNOS activity, NO and cGMP restored by genistein in hypertensive rats. We further explored the mechanisms by which genistein restored NO in hypertension and found that genistein significantly enhanced phosphorylated eNOS but left relatively unchanged total eNOS and the eNOS dimer/monomer ratio. In addition, genistein decreased the binding of eNOS with caveolin 3 and simultaneously promoted its binding with calmodulin and heat shock protein 90. We conclude that the preventive effects of genistein on cardiac remodeling induced by 2K1C hypertension are mediated by AT2-dependent NO production.

Keywords:
Genistein, Hypertension, Left ventricular hypertrophy, Nitric oxide, Endothelial nitric oxide synthase
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel
2010
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.