Fructose-Rich Diet-Induced Changes in the Expression of the Renin Angiotensin System Molecules in the Heart of Ovariectomized Female Rats Could be Reversed by Estradiol

The renin-angiotensin system has been implicated in the development of metabolic syndrome and appears to be a key in the local tissue control of normal cardiac functions. Physiological concentrations of estrogens have been shown to be cardioprotective, especially against the damaging effects of fructose-rich diet. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of the renin-angiotensin system molecules with potentially deleterious effect on the heart (angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II type 1 receptor) and those with potentially protective effects, (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and angiotensin II type 2 receptor), in ovariectomized fructose fed female rats with 17β-estradiol replacement. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used for quantification of gene and protein expression in the heart. Fructose diet increased the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II type 1 receptor and decreased the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and angiotensin II type 2 receptor. On the other hand, estradiol replacement seems to undo fructose diet effects on cardiac renin-angiotensin system. Downregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II type 1 receptor, and reversion of expression of both potentially protective molecules, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and angiotensin II type 2 receptor, to the control level in cardiac tissue took place. Obtained results suggest that estradiol may reverse the harmful effect of fructose-rich diet on the expression of renin-angiotensin system molecules. These findings may also be important in further research of phenotypes like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and following cardiovascular pathology in females.