Objective: This paper aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptide activity involved in vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Therefore, changes in collagen fibers, elastic fibers and laminin were assessed in the left common carotid artery (LCCA).
Methods: We selected 10-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats to study the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), transforming growth factor, angiotensin (Ang) II and nuclear factor (NF)-p65 in the wall of carotid arteries.
Results: Compared to the control group, laminin expression was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the vascular endothelium of the LAP (a homemade ACE-inhibitory peptide, named by ourselves) group, whereas the percentage of elastic/collagen fibers in the LCCA vascular area was significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) in the LAP group. Immune blots of MMP-2, MMP-9, NF-p65 and AngII were significantly reduced in the LCCA wall in the LAP group.
Conclusion: Vascular ECM remodeling may be related to the inhibitory action of LAP on ECM deposition.