Exercise Training Induces Changes in the Renin‐angiotensin System Towards Ang‐(1–7)/Ace2/Mas Axis in the Hypothalamus of Renovascular Hypertensive Rats

In the present study we evaluated angiotensin peptide levels, mRNA expression of angiotensin receptors, AT 1 and MAS, and the enzymes, ACE and ACE2 in the hypothalamus (Hy) in renovascular hypertensive rats (2K1C) submitted to exercise training (ET). One week after renal artery constriction, animals started ET (swimming 60 min/day, 5 days/week). After 4 weeks, mean arterial pressure and heart rate (telemetry method) of 2K1C‐ET (122±6 mmHg and 349±5 beats/min; n=5) were lower in relation to 2K1C (157±3 mmHg and 361±5 beats/min; n=4). 2K1C showed an increase in AT 1 expression and Ang II levels accompanied by a reduction in Ang‐(1–7) levels in Hy, which significantly reduced the Ang‐(1–7)/ Ang II levels (16±2 vs 40±10 in Sham). No changes in ACE or ACE2 were observed. ET induced in Hy an increase in ACE (2.4±0.3 au vs 1±0.1 au in Sham), ACE2 (3.7±0.4 au vs 1±0.1 au in Sham) and Mas (3.2±0.4 au vs 1±0.1 ua in Sham). These changes were accompanied by a reestablishment of Ang peptides ratio in the Hy. Our data show that ET may induce selective changes in the brain RAS favoring the ACE2/MAS axis, at least in the hypothalamus, suggesting a central site involved in the anti‐hypertensive effects induced by ET.