Valsartan inhibits up-regulation of connexin 43 protein expression in angiotensinII-simulated cardiomyocytes

Objective To study the intervention effect of valsartan on expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) protein in angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ)-stimulated cardiomyocytes.Methods Cultured rat cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into control group,1.0 X 10~(-6) mol/L AngⅡgroup,and 1.0×10~(-6) mol/L valsartan group which was further divided into 1.0×10~(-6) mol/L valsartan group (group A),l.0×~(-6) mol/L valsartan group(group BO,and 1.0×10~(-7)mol/L valsartan group (group C).Intervention effect of valsartan on Cx43 protein expression in cardiomyocytes after 24 h exposure to AngⅡwas detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence,respectively.Results The expression level of Cx43 protein in cardiomyocytes was significantly higher in AngⅡgroup than in control group and valsartan group.Conclusion AngⅡup-regulates and valsartan down-regulates the expression of Cx43 protein in a dose-dependent manner through the typeⅠAngⅡreceptor signal pathway.Up-regulated expression of Cx43 protein may be related with hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes.