Increased Expression of Angiotensin- converting Enzyme in Retinas of Diabetic Rats

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the localization and the changes in the amount of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and the relationship between the renin-angiotensin (RA) system and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF-receptor system in the retinas of diabetic rats. Metho...

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Veröffentlicht in:Japanese journal of ophthalmology 2001-11, Vol.45 (6), p.585-591
Hauptverfasser: Okada, Yuji, Yamanaka, Ichiro, Sakamoto, Taiji, Hata, Yasuaki, Sassa, Yukio, Yoshikawa, Hiroshi, Fujisawa, Kimihiko, Ishibashi, Tatsuro, Inomata, Hajime
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the localization and the changes in the amount of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and the relationship between the renin-angiotensin (RA) system and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF-receptor system in the retinas of diabetic rats. Methods: Immunohistochemical localization of ACE, VEGF, and VEGF-receptor fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1) was examined in cryosections of the retinas of streptozotocin-injected diabetic rats. A semi-quantitative comparison of diabetic rats with age-matched controls was also performed by counting the ACE- or Flk-1-positive vessels per microscopic field. Results: ACE immunoreactivity was localized in the retinal vessel walls, and the percentages of ACE-positive vessels were significantly increased in the retinas of diabetic rats maintained 3 to 5 months. Both VEGF and Flk-1 signals increased simultaneously with the increment of ACE immunoreactivity. Conclusions: ACE, expressed in the retinal vessel walls, increases simultaneously with the increment of both VEGF and Flk-1 in the retinas of diabetic rats, suggesting that upregulation of ACE might play some role in the progression of diabetic retinopathy through the VEGF/VEGF receptor system.
ISSN:0021-5155
1613-2246
DOI:10.1016/S0021-5155(01)00412-9