Role of valsartan on myocardial Calpain I, calcineurin and Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIδ expression of renovascular hypertensive rats / 中华心血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the protein expression of Calpain I, mRNA and protein expressions and activity of calcineurin, and the alternative splicing of Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) &delta; in the hypertrophic heart, and to investigate the effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker valsartan (Val) on cardiac hypertrophy and the level of Calpain I, calcineurin and CaMKII&delta; in renovascular hypertensive rats model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were randomly divided into sham-operated control (n=8), hypertension (n=8) and hypertension plus Val (n=8, 30 mg×kg(-1)×(-1)). The renovascular hypertension was induced by two kidney-one clip methods in rats. The ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight was measured, the mRNA expression of calcineurin and alternative splicing of CaMKII&delta; were determined by RT-PCR, the protein expression of Calpain I and calcineurin were measured by Western blot and the activity of calcineurin activity was assayed by a specialized kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eight weeks after procedure, hypertension rats developed significantly cardiac hypertrophy, and the protein expression of Calpain I, mRNA and protein expression and the activity of calcineurin were significantly increased compared sham-operated control rats (all P<0.01), the mRNA expression of CaMKII&delta;A and B increased, CaMKII&delta;C mRNA decreased (P<0.01). Treatment with valsartan effectively attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and reversed hypertension induced changes on myocardial Calpain I, calcineurin and CaMKII&delta;.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Valsartan attenuates cardiac hypertrophy in renovascular hypertensive rats, possibly through inhibiting Calpain I, calcineurin and CaMKII&delta; signaling pathways.</p>