Increased bradykinin and "normal" angiotensin peptide levels in diabetic Sprague-Dawley and transgenic (mRen-2)27 rats

Abstract

Background. The transgenic (mRen-2)27 rat (TGR) is a high tissue renin, high angiotensin (Ang) II model of hypertension. When administered streptozotocin (STZ), TGRs develop a rapidly progressive diabetic nephropathy with renal failure over 12 weeks. Bradykinin (BK) and Ang II are potent vasoactive peptides that may participate in the vascular and metabolic abnormalities of diabetes. Methods. TGR and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administered STZ (diabetic) or citrate buffer (nondiabetic) at six weeks of age. Diabetic rats received daily ultralente insulin to maintain moderate hyperglycemia (∼18 mM). Rats were sacrificed four- and eight-weeks post-STZ or vehicle. Results. Diabetes did not mo..