Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2018, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (1): 81-86.doi: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2018.01.013

• Anatomy • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Attenuating effects and mechanisms of apelin-13 on aortic injuries in diabetic mice

ZHANG Jia WANG Yang-jia ZENG Xiang-jun*   

  1. Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
  • Received:2017-03-16 Revised:2017-05-26 Online:2017-02-06 Published:2018-02-06
  • Contact: ZENG Xiang-jun E-mail:megan_zeng@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To observe the effects and mechanisms of apelin-13 on aortic fibrosis in diabetic mice. Methods Eighteen mice were divided into three groups: control group: C57/BL6j mice in eight weeks old (n=6), diabetic group: kkAy mice in eight weeks old (n=6), and apelin-13 group: kkAy mice implanted with osmotic pump to release apelin-13 at the rate of 30μg/(g·d).After 28 days, the aortas were harvested and fixed. Morphological changes and collagen deposition were observed with HE and Masson staining. The aortic elastic fibers were observed with elastin staining. Expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was measured with immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared to the control group, the wall of aorta in diabetic mice thickened, the collagen deposite in diabetic mice was significantly more than that in control mice(P<0.05). The elastin in diabetic mice was irregularly arranged. The levels of TGF-β1 in the aorta of diabetic mice were significantly more than that in control mice(P<0.05).After apelin-13 treatment, the wall of the aorta in diabetic mice became thinner, the collagen deposite was significantly improved than that in diabetic mice(P<0.05), while apelin-13 reset the elastin of aorta in diabetic mice,and reduced TGF-β1 expression to almost normal levels(P<0.05). Conclusion Apelin-13 may attenuate fibrosis and elastin breakdown in the aorta in diabetic mice by inhibit TGF-β1 expression and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in medium of the aortic wall.

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