Effect of Experimental Diabetes on the Protection by Angiotensin Blockers on Nitric Oxide Deficient Stroke in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Recently, we have shown that chronic administration of N-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) precipitates stroke in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). Angiotensin receptor antagonist (L-158,809) was shown to delay the onset of such stroke. In the present study, five groups of 4-week-old SHRSP were used. Three groups of SHRSP were made diabetic using streptozotocin (100 mg/kg i.p.) SHRSP from groups I (non-diabetic) and III (diabetic) chronically received L-NAME(0.5 g/L) and L-158,809 (20 mg/L) in saline to drink. Diabetic SHRSP (group C) received only saline to drink. SHRSP groups I and III developed stroke in 10±2 and 11±2 days. Average stroke-free period in groups II and IV was 18±2 and 29±2 days, respectively. Protective effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes disappeared when SHRSP drinking L-NAME and L-158,809, also received subcutaneous injections of insulin. Present data suggest that experimental diabetes delays the onset of L-NAME-induced stroke in SHRSP and this protection is seen in the absence of renin-angiotensin system.

Key Words:

• Angiotensin
• Diabetes
• Nitric Oxide
• Stroke