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Losartan may prevent the elevation of plasma glucose, corticosterone and catecholamine levels induced by chronic stress

Yaiz Üresin

Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Istanbul University, 34390 Capa, Istanbul, Turkey, yagiz{at}istanbul.edu.tr

Bahar Erbas

Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Istanbul University, 34390 Capa, Istanbul, Turkey

Mehmet Özek

Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Istanbul University, 34390 Capa, Istanbul, Turkey

Elif Özkök

Research Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Istanbul University, 34390 Capa, Istanbul, Turkey

Ali Osman Gürol

Research Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Immunology, Istanbul University, 34390 Capa, Istanbul, Turkey

Introduction

Stress is a stimulus that activates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Increased activity of the SNS causes to increment or impairment in blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and plasma glucose and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) levels. Angiotensin II (Ang II), which is a product of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), is an important factor affecting the activity of the SNS and responses to stress. We suggest that the blockade of Ang II may be worthwhile in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases affected by stress. Therefore, we investigated the effects of immobilisation stress on blood glucose, norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and corticosterone levels and the effects of an Ang II receptor antagonist, losartan, on these parameters.

Materials and methods

The rats were kept in small cylindrical cages for 60 min/day for 10 consecutive days to perform chronic immobilisation stress. Losartan (10 mg/kg) was given daily by gavage to Losartan (L) and Losartan + Chronic Stress (L+CS) groups. Control (C) and Chronic Stress (CS) P groups received an equal volume of saline daily by gavage for 10 days. After the last stress regimen, blood samples were collected for plasma glucose, NE, E and corticosteroid measurements.

Results

Plasma glucose, NE, E and corticosterone levels in the CS Group increased significantly compared with the C group. In Group L+CS, the plasma glucose, NE, E and corticosterone levels decreased significantly vs. Group CS. In Group L there was no significant difference vs. Group C.

Conclusion

It can be speculated that chronic blockade of RAS may decrease the excess sympathetic responses to stress in cardiovascular diseases and prevent the likely development of Type II diabetes mellitus.

Key Words: losartan • chronic stress • glucose • angiotensin II • corticosterone • norepinephrine • epinephrine • sympathetic nervous system

Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, Vol. 5, No. 2, 93-96 (2004)
DOI: 10.3317/jraas.2004.017


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