Development of angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms is independent of Catalase in mice

Chronic infusion of angiotensin II (AngII) into mice augments the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Catalase is an important antioxidant enzyme in cellular peroxisome, and it physiologically maintains tissue and cellular redox homeostasis and thus plays a central role in defense against oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to define whether deficiency of catalase influences AngII-induced AAAs. Male acatalasemic (C3H/AnLCs _bCs _b) mice and wild-type (C3H/AnLCs _aCs _a) mice (8-12 weeks old, N = 24 and 25, respectively) were fed a normal chow for 5 weeks. After 1 week of acclimtion, mice were infused subcutaneously with AngII (1000 ng•kg ^-1•min ^-1) by osmotic minipumps for 4 weeks. AngII increased systolic blood pressure equivalently in both groups. Acatalasemia had no effect on serum cholesterol concentrations. The body weight of acatalasemic mice was slightly greater than that of wild-type mice (P = 0.008). Although aortic catalase activity in acatalasemic mice was significantly low (P < 0.001), acatalasemia had no significant effect on the incidence of AngII-induced AAA formation (acatalasemia, 23%; wild, 21%), ex vivo measurement of maximal diameter of abdominal aorta (acatalasemia, 1.22 ± 0.29 mm; wild, 1.21 ± 0.17 mm), or aortic deposition of lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. The development of AngII-induced AAAs is independent of catalase.