Possible Inhibition of Focal Cerebral Ischemia by Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Stimulation

Background—The role of angiotensin II receptor subtypes was investigated in focal brain ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Methods and Results—In Agtr2+ (wild-type) mice, MCA occlusion induced focal ischemia of ≈20% to 30% of the total area in coronal section of the brain. The ischemic area was significantly larger in angiotensin II type 2 receptor–deficient (Agtr2−) mice than in Agtr2+ mice. The neurological deficit after MCA occlusion was also greater in Agtr2− mice than in Agtr2+ mice. The decrease in surface cerebral blood flow after MCA occlusion was significantly exaggerated in the peripheral region of the MCA territory in Agtr2− mice. Superoxide production and NADPH oxidase activity were enhanced in the ischemic area of the brain in Agtr2− mice. An AT1 receptor blocker, valsartan, at a nonhypotensive dose significantly inhibited the ischemic area, neurological deficit, and reduction of cerebral blood flow as well as superoxide production and NADPH oxidase activity in Agtr2+ mice. These inhibitory actions of valsartan were weaker in Agtr2− mice. Conclusions—These results suggest that AT2 receptor stimulation has a protective effect on ischemic brain lesions, at least partly through the modulation of cerebral blood flow and superoxide production.

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