Telmisartan protect broiler chickens from pulmonary arterial remodeling induced by low ambient temperature

Abstract

Objective: Renin-angiotensin system is associated with many vascular diseases. This study aims to explore the protective effect of telmisartan, Angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker, on pulmonary arterial remodeling induced by low ambient temperature in broiler chickens. Methods: Ninety chickens were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=30), including control group, low temperature group and telmisartan group. Chickens in low temperature group and telmisartan group were exposed to low ambient temperature from 14 days of age until 45 days of age; chickens in telmisartan group were gavaged with telmisartan 5 mg/kg once daily for thirty days. The pulmonary arterial systolic pressure was measured with right catheterization method. Wet lung weight index and right ventricular hypertrophy index were evaluated. Small pulmonary artery wall thickness and elastic fibers was determined respectively by H-E staining and Weight staining. Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA)-positive cells were determined by Immunohistochemical staining. Results: It showed that pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, wet lung weight index and right ventricular hypertrophy index, small pulmonary artery wall thickness, elastic fibers and PCNA expression increased significantly in Low temperature group compared with control group and telmisartan group. Conclusion: Telmisartan can protect broiler chickens from pulmonary arterial remodeling induced by low ambient temperature. © 2014 Hao XQ, et al.