Chronic kidney disease: Cardiac and renal angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 expression in rats after subtotal nephrectomy and the effect of ACE inhibition

Abstract

Renin-angiotensin system blockade slows but does not prevent the cardiovascular complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 is differentially regulated in acute kidney injury, with increased cardiac ACE2 but decreased kidney ACE2 levels. This study investigated the effect of long-term ACE inhibition on cardiac and renal ACE2 in rats with CKD induced by subtotal nephrectomy (STNx). Sprague-Dawley rats had sham (control) or STNx surgery. Control rats received vehicle (n= 9) and STNx rats ramipril (1 mg kg-1 day-1; n= 10) or vehicle (n= 10) for 28 days. Subtotal nephrectomy resulted in impaired creatinine clearance (P < 0.05), proteinuria (P < 0.05), ren..