Failure of antioxidants to protect against angiotensin II-induced aortic rupture in aged apolipoprotein(E)-deficient mice

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Oxidative stress may be involved in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Previous studies indicate that antioxidants protect against AAA formation during chronic angiotensin (Ang) II infusion in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(0)) mice. We here examine if these protective effects also occurred in aged ApoE(0) mice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Male ApoE(0) mice (50-60 weeks) were randomly divided into 4 groups: saline, Ang II (1000 ng kg(-1) min(-1) for 4 weeks), Ang II plus antioxidants (0.1% vitamin E in food plus 0.1% vitamin C in drinking water), and Ang II plus losartan (30 mg kg(-1) day(-1)). KEY RESULTS: Exogenous Ang II increased systolic blood pre..