Disturbance of vasodilation via protease-activated receptor 2 in SHRSP.Z-Lepr fa/IzmDmcr rats with metabolic syndrome.

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) activation causes vascular inflammation and vasodilation, but its role in metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains uncertain. Therefore, we examined whether the PAR2-induced vasodilation of SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa)/IzmDmcr rats (SHRSP.ZF) is impaired and if so, whether administering telmisartan is protective. PAR2-activating peptide, 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-amide (2fly), relaxed the isolated superior and first-order branches of mesenteric arteries (MAs) from Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and SHRSP.ZF. Superior-MA relaxation by 2fly was less in SHRSP.ZF than in WKY. Relaxation of first-order MAs by 2fly was the same in SHRSP.ZF and WKY. NO synthase inhibitor partially reduced 2fly-induced relaxation of superior and first-order MAs in SHRSP.ZF and WKY; inhibition of relaxation was proportionately larger in SHRSP.ZF. In SHRSP.ZF, nitroprusside-induced relaxation and the expression of soluble guanylyl cyclase decreased. In SHRSP.ZF, telmisartan reversed these abnormalities, and decreased blood pressure and serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, an index of oxidative stress. Vasodilation via PAR2 activation was preserved in small-caliber MAs, in contrast to large-caliber MAs, even when MetS reduced NO-dependent relaxation mechanisms. NO and non-NO relaxing factor(s) contributed to PAR2-mediated relaxation in MAs, and the balance between factors may be altered to preserve vasodilation in MetS. Telmisartan prevented vascular dysfunction in MetS by protecting arteries against oxidative stress.