Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Expression in Ovariectomized Rat Kidney: Effects of Ethanol and Estradiol

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Sophia Farrow (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted discussion and research on angiotensin-converting\r\nenzyme 2 (ACE2) signaling. ACE2 promotes lowering blood pressure by catalyzing angiotensin\r\nII (Ang II) metabolism into angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7). ACE2 is utilized as a membrane receptor\r\nfor severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as COVID-19.\r\nTherefore, the number of ACE2 molecules within the kidney will likely influence the severity of\r\nsymptoms caused by COVID-19. Estradiol (E2), the form of estrogen produced by the ovaries,\r\nand ethanol (EtOH) have been proven to separately affect the expression of ACE2 within the\r\nkidneys of female rats. This research aimed to study the effect of EtOH, E2, and their\r\ncombination on ACE2 expression in rat kidney in the absence of E2 in ovariectomized (OVX)\r\nfemale and male as well as OVX rats supplemented with E2 (OVXE2) using the Western blot\r\ntechnique. EtOH significantly increased renal ACE2 expression in OVX and male rats. By\r\ncontrast, E2 reduced renal ACE expression and prevented the increase caused by EtOH in ACE2\r\nexpression in OVXE2. By researching E2 and EtOH effects on ACE2 expression, scientists can\r\nfurther discern how COVID-19 treatment can be tailored for alcohol-consuming females.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2023

Subjects

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), Ovariectomized (OVX) rats, Kidney, Estradiol (E2), Ethanol (EtOH), Western blot

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