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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Ethanol Consumption Alters the Expression and Reactivity of Adrenomedullin in the Rat Mesenteric Arterial Bed

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Author(s):
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Rocha, Juliana T. ; Hipolito, Ulisses V. [1] ; Martins-Oliveira, Alisson [1] ; Tirapelli, Daniela P. C. [1] ; Batalhao, Marcelo E. ; Carnio, Evelin C. ; Queiroz, Regina H. [2] ; Coelho, Eduardo B. [1] ; Cunha, Thiago M. [1] ; Tanus-Santos, Jose E. [1] ; Tirapelli, Carlos R. [3]
Total Authors: 11
Affiliation:
[1] USP, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[2] USP, Fac Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Enfermagem Ribeirao Preto, Farmacol Lab, Coll Nursing Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040902 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM; v. 47, n. 1, p. 9-17, JAN-FEB 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 9
Abstract

Aims: Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide that displays cardiovascular protective activity. We investigated the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on arterial blood pressure, vascular reactivity to AM and the expression of AM system components in the rat mesenteric arterial bed (MAB). Methods: Male Wistar rats were treated with ethanol (20% vol/vol) for 6 weeks. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure were monitored in conscious rats. Vascular reactivity experiments were performed on isolated rat MAB. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) levels were determined by gelatin zymography. Nitrite and nitrate generation were measured by chemiluminescence. Protein and mRNA levels of pre-pro-AM, CRLR (calcitonin receptor-like receptor) and RAMP1, 2 and 3 (receptor activity-modifying proteins) were assessed by western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Ethanol consumption induced hypertension and decreased the relaxation induced by AM and acetylcholine in endothelium-intact rat MAB. Phenylephrine-induced contraction was increased in endothelium-intact MAB from ethanol-treated rats. Ethanol consumption did not alter basal levels of nitrate and nitrite, nor did it affect the expression of MMP-2 or the net MMP activity in the rat MAB. Ethanol consumption increased mRNA levels of pre-pro-AM and protein levels of AM in the rat MAB. Finally, no differences in protein levels or mRNA of CRLR and RAMP1, 2 and 3 were observed after treatment with ethanol. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that ethanol consumption increases blood pressure and the expression of AM in the vasculature and reduces the relaxation induced by this peptide in the rat MAB. (AU)