Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition reduces the expression of transforming growth factor-β₁ and type IV collagen in diabetic vasculopathy

Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β₁ in the development of diabetes-associated mesenteric vascular hypertrophy and in the antitrophic effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Design and methods. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to treatment with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril or to no treatment and were killed 1 or 3 weeks after the streptozotocin injection. Blood was collected and mesenteric vessels removed. Mesenteric vascular weight was measured and TGF-β₁ and α₁ (type IV) collagen messenger (m)RNA levels were analysed by Northern analysis. Immunohistochemical analyses for TGF-β₁ and type IV collagen were also performed. Results. The diabetic rats had increased mesenteric vessel weight at 3 weeks but not at 1 week and a concomitant rise in mesenteric TGF-β₁ and in α₁ (type IV) collagen mRNA levels. Ramipril treatment attenuated mesenteric vessel hypertrophy and prevented the increase in TGF-β₁ and α₁ (type IV) collagen mRNA levels after 3 weeks of diabetes. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that diabetes was associated with increased TGF-β₁ and type IV collagen protein and extracellular matrix accumulation in mesenteric vessels, and this increase was reduced by ramipril treatment. Conclusions. These results support the concept that TGF-β₁ is involved in the changes associated with diabetic vascular disease, and suggest a mechanism by which angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors exert their antitrophic effects.