Aim: Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is thought to have a noticeable effect in the pathophysiological injury in multiple organs by inducing different cellular and molecular reactions. The objective of the current study is to investigate the possible protective effects of perindopril against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiopulmonary oxidative and inflammatory damage in rats. Methods: To achieve this goal, animals were randomly divided into six groups: normal group, LPS group (3 mg/kg, i.p., single dose), perindopril-LPS treated group (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.), perindopril-LPS treated group (2 mg/kg/day, i.p.), and two perindopril negative groups (perindopril 1 or 2 mg/kg/day, i.p.) alone for seven days. Lungs and hearts tissue angiotensin II (Ang-II), angiotensin-1-7 (Ang-1-7), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase were assessed using ELISA. Nuclear factor kappa-B-p65 (NF-κB-p65) was assessed using real time PCR, while protein kinase B (Akt) was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, oxidative stress biomarkers and myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme were evaluated spectrophotometrically. Tissues inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthases (iNOS and eNOS) were assessed immunohistochemically. Histopathological study was carried out to confirm our results. Results: LPS-intoxicated rats significantly elevated Ang-II, NF-κB-p65, Akt, and iNOS levels, coupled with significant down-regulation of Ang-1-7 and eNOS levels and corrected the oxidative stress biomarkers. Perindopril administration significantly attenuated the disturbances induced by LPS in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Perindopril mitigates LPS-induced heart and lung damage through modulation of RAS, iNOS/eNOS, Akt, and NF-κB-p65 signaling pathways.
Keywords: Perindopril; lipopolysaccharide; nitric oxide synthase; nuclear factor kappa-B-p65/protein kinase B; renin–angiotensin system.