Effects of hydrogen sulfide donor on production of adrenomedullin and atrial natriuretic peptide in rats with atherosclerosis

Abstract:

Objective Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a novel gasotransmitter in cardiovascular regulation, plays an important protective role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis (AS). This study was designed to explore the effects of H₂S donor on the production of adrenomedullin (ADM) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in AS rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=10), AS group (n=10), and AS+NaHS group (n=10). Rats in the AS and AS+NaHS groups were given 3-day intraperitoneal injections of vitamin D₃ and 8-week high-fat diet to induce AS, and the rats in the AS+NaHS group were intraperitoneally injected with H₂S donor NaHS. Oil red O staining was applied to detect changes in the areas of the atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root and the coronary artery;sulfide-sensitive electrode method was used to measure the plasma concentration of H₂S. ADM and ANP levels in plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results Compared with the control group, marked atherosclerotic plaques were observed in the aortic root and the coronary artery in AS rats. Moreover, plasma H₂S level decreased significantly, ADM level increased, and ANP level decreased significantly in AS rats (P<0.01). However, after the treatment with H₂S donor NaHS for 8 weeks, the above changes in AS rats were reversed, demonstrated by significantly reduced areas of the atherosclerotic plaques in both the aortic root and the coronary artery, significantly increased plasma H₂S level, significantly decreased plasma ADM level, and significantly increased plasma ANP level (P<0.01). Conclusions H₂S plays an important regulatory effect on vasoactive peptides ADM and ANP in AS rats.