Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition by dRK6 causes endothelial apoptosis, fibrosis, and inflammation in the heart via the Akt/eNOS axis in db/db mice.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is associated with the stimulation of angiogenesis and collateral vessel synthase, is one of the crucial factors involved in cardiac remodeling in type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods

We investigated VEGF inhibition by dRK6 on the heart in an animal model of type 2 diabetes. Male db/db and db/m mice either were treated with dRK6 starting at 7 weeks of age for 12 weeks (db/db-dRK6 and db/m-dRK6) or were untreated.

Results

Cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophy were noted by echocardiogram and molecular markers in the db/db-dRK6 mice. The presence of diabetes significantly suppressed the expression of VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-1 and VEGFR-2, phospho-Akt, and phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in t

SUBMITTER: Park CW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2768173 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature