Inhibition of ADP-ribosyl cyclase attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy

Aims: Here, we report the discovery of a small molecule inhibitor, 2,2′-dihydroxyazobenzene (DAB), of ADP ribosyl cyclase (ADPR-cyclase) and showed that this inhibitor attenuated angiotensin (Ang) II-induced hypertrophic responses. Methods: and results The intracellular concentration of free Ca ²⁺ [Ca²⁺]_i in adult rat cardiomyocytes was measured by using a confocal microscope. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by the two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) method. Hypertrophy was determined by de novo protein synthesis, cell volume, echocardiography, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, and transforming growth factor-β1 protein expression. Treatment of cardiomyocytes with Ang II generated a biphasic [Ca²⁺]_i increase that included an initial Ca ²⁺peak and sustained Ca²⁺ rise via inositol trisphosphate and cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) formation, respectively. A cADPR antagonistic analogue, 8-Br-cADPR, and an ADPR-cyclase inhibitor, DAB, blocked the sustained Ca²⁺ signal, but not the initial Ca²⁺ rise. Furthermore, DAB significantly inhibited Ang II-mediated cADPR formation and hypertrophic responses in vitro. Echocardiography and histological examination revealed significant cardiac hypertrophy in 2K1C rats that was potently inhibited by treatment with DAB. In addition, the hypertrophic responses induced by Ang II in vitro were significantly increased by 2K1C, and DAB treatment reversed these hypertrophic responses to the levels of sham Control. Conclusion: ADPR-cyclase is an important mediator of cardiac hypertrophy, and inhibition of ADPR-cyclase by DAB may provide a new therapeutic strategy for cardiac diseases.