Aliskiren reduces myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by a bradykinin b2 receptor-and angiotensin AT2 receptor-mediated mechanism

Abstract

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin AT1 receptor blockers reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via bradykinin B2 receptor-and angiotensin AT2 receptor-mediated mechanisms. The renin inhibitor aliskiren increases cardiac tissue kallikrein and bradykinin levels. In the present study, we investigated the effect of aliskiren on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and the roles of B2 and AT2 receptors in this effect. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with aliskiren (10 mg/kg per day) and valsartan (30 mg/kg per day), alone or in combination, together with the B2 receptor antagonist icatibant (0.5 mg/kg per day) or the AT2 receptor antagonist PD123319 (30 mg/..