Possible mechanism of the cardio- renal protective effects of AVE-0991, a non-peptide Mas-receptor agonist, in diabetic rats

Hypothesis: This study was designed to investigate the cardio-renal protective effect of AVE-0991, a non-peptide Masreceptor agonist, and A-779, a Mas-receptor antagonist, in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Wistar rats treated with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.p., once), developed diabetes mellitus after 1 week. After 8 weeks, myocardial functions were assessed by measuring left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), rate of left ventricular pressure development (dp/dtmax), rate of left ventricular pressure decay (dp/dtmin) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) on an isolated Langendorff’s heart preparation. Further, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was measured by using the tail-cuff method. Assessment of renal functions and lipid profile was carried out using a spectrophotometer. Results: The administration of streptozotocin to rats produced persistent hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and hypertension which consequently produced cardiac and renal dysfunction in 8 weeks. AVE0991 treatment produced cardio-renal protective effects, as evidenced by a significant increase in LVDP, dp/dtmax, dp/dtmin and a significant decrease in LVEDP, BUN, and protein urea. Further, AVE-0991 treatment for the first time has been shown to reduce dyslipidaemia and produced antihyperglycaemic activity in streptozotocin-treated rats. However, MABP and creatinine clearance remained unaffected with AVE-0991 treatment. Conclusions: AVE-0991 produced cardio-renal protection possibly by improving glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic rats, independent of its blood pressure lowering action.