Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanogels Targeting C-Terminal of Angiotensin II for Lowering Blood Pressure of Rats by Oral Perfusion

Over-expression of angiotensin II (Ang II) in bodies causes vasoconstriction and a subsequent increase in blood pressure. The present work proposes a novel technique of using an artificial receptor to reduce circulation of the excess Ang II in rats' bodies and subsequently lowering blood pressure of the rats by oral perfusion. A molecularly imprinted polymer nanogels (MIPNGs) receptor was prepared with the C-terminal pentapeptide of Ang II as the template in aqueous media, which served as a selective recognition element for Ang II. The resulting MIPNGs had good monodispersity, as measured by dynamic light scattering and further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The saturated adsorption capacity for angiotensin II of the MIPNGs reached 149.8 mg/g, and the yielding imprinting factor was 4.6. The MIPNGs displayed negligible toxicity and excellent cytocompatibility. The spontaneously hypertensive rats absorbed MIPNGs via oral perfusion at gradient producing a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure. Coupled with their biocompatibility and nontoxic characteristics, the MIPNGs offer the potential for neutralizing a wide range of biomacromolecules in vivo.