Characterization of Angiotensin-(1-7) effects on the cardiovascular system in an experimental model of type-1 diabetes.

Although exogenous administration of Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] can prevent development of diabetes induced end-organ damage, little is known about the role of endogenous Ang-(1-7) in diabetes and requires further characterization. Here, we studied the effects of chronically inhibiting endogenous Ang-(1-7) formation with DX600, a selective angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) inhibitor, on renal and cardiac NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity, vascular reactivity and cardiac function in a model of Type-1 diabetes. The contribution of endogenous Ang-(1-7) to the protective effects of Losartan and Captopril and that of prostaglandins to the cardiovascular effects of exogenous Ang-(1-7) were also examined.