Cardiovascular Diabetology (Dec 2012)

Angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptor expression in circulating monocytes of diabetic and hypercholesterolemic patients over 3-month rosuvastatin treatment

  • Marino Franca,
  • Maresca Andrea Maria,
  • Cosentino Marco,
  • Castiglioni Luana,
  • Rasini Emanuela,
  • Mongiardi Christian,
  • Maio Ramona C,
  • Legnaro Massimiliano,
  • Schembri Laura,
  • Dentali Francesco,
  • Grandi Anna Maria,
  • Guasti Luigina

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2840-11-153
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
p. 153

Abstract

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Abstract Background In diabetes, a variety of pro-inflammatory cellular changes has been found in various cell types, including monocytes which are known to be involved in all the phases of atherogenesis. Angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) mediates the pro-atherogenic effects of Ang II whereas the type 2 receptor (AT2R) seems associated with atheroprotection. We sought to investigate the potential changes of AT1R-AT2R expression in human monocytes of type 2 diabetic- hypercholesterolemic patients and in hypercholesterolemic subjects, upon clinical treatment with rosuvastatin. Methods The AT1R membrane protein and mRNA AT1R and AT2R expression in monocytes were investigated in 10 type 2 diabetic-hypercholesterolemic patients and in 10 hypercholesterolemic subjects, before and after 3-month rosuvastatin treatment. Moreover, the serum cytokine levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were detected. Results As expected, rosuvastatin was associated with a change in the lipid profile in the two groups. Both the membrane protein (P = 0.008) and the AT1R mRNA expression (P = 0.038) were significantly reduced during treatment in the absence of AT2R expression change in diabetic-hypercholesterolemic patients whereas no significant difference was observed in hypercholesterolemic subjects. The serum IL-4 levels were increased during treatment whereas no change was observed in IFN-γ in diabetic-hypercholesterolemic patients. No cytokine change was observed in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Conclusions Our study on monocytes of diabetic-hypercholesterolemic patients, showing a reduced AT1R but not AT2R expression during rosuvastatin treatment, suggests that statin therapy may modulate favorably the AT1-AT2 receptor balance in subjects with coexistent type 2 diabetes.

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