DIZE Regulated the expressions of eNOS, ACE, and ACE2/MAS Axis in SuPNx Rats
Figure 5A shows a representative pulmonary expression of eNOS, ACE, ACE2, MAS by Western blot analysis. SuPNX42 has the trend to upregulated pulmonary eNOS expression when compared with the sham-operated rats. Pulmonary expression of eNOS was significantly elevated in the early treatment protocol when compared with the SuPNx42 groups, but this was not seen in the late treatment protocol (Figure 5B).
Compared to the sham-operated rats, the ratio of pulmonary expression of ACE was elevated in the SuPNx42 group. Significant decreases in ACE protein expression in both early and late DIZE treatment groups were noted when compared with the vehicle-treated SuPNx42 rats. (Figure 5C)
Pulmonary expression of ACE2 was increased in the early treatment group (SuPNX42/DIZE1–42) compared to the SuPNx42 rats. No significant differences were found among the sham42, SuPNx42, and SuPNX42/DIZE29–42 groups (Figure 5D).
The Mas is a G protein-coupled receptor with its vasoprotective effect in RAS system.14 In western blot analysis, there were no significant changes in Mas expression among all four groups. (Figure 5E)