Effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist on content of VEGF in cerebral tissues in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective To investigate the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor antagonist on the content of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the cerebral tissues and brain edema in the rats with intracerebral hemorrhage,and its neuroprotective effect.Methods One hundred and forty male rats were randomly divided into normal(n=20),Control(n=60) and treatment(n=60) groups.The models of intracerebral hemorrhage were established in 120 rats of the control and treatment groups.The oral administration of losartan(40 mg/kg.d once a day,up to sacrificing the animals) was performed in the treatment group.The neurological function was assessed by modified neurological severity score(mNSS) 24,48 and 72 h after the hemorrhage in all the rats.The animals were sacrificed after the assessment of the neurogical function.The contents of VEGF and water in the cerebral tissues were determined respectively.Results The points of mNNS,and VEGF and water contents in the cerebrain tissues were significantly higher in the control group respectively than those in treatment group(P0.05),which were significantly higher 24,48 and 72 hours after the intracerebral hemorrhage respectively than those in the normal group(P0.05).Conclusion VEGF content in the cerebral tissues and cerebral edema may be reduced by angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor antagonist,losartan,which may be of the neuroprotective effect in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage.