Effects of ginsenoside Rg2 on blood pressure and expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 in kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats

AIM To examine the effect of Rg2 on blood pressure and expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 in kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODSBlood pressure and cardiac rate were detected using noninvasive rat tail pressure gauge. mRNA levels of MMP2 and MMP9 were detected by real-time PCR and the protein levels of MMP2 and MMP9 were examined by Western blot. RESULTSCompared with those of WKY rats, no significant changes were found in weight, kidney mass and cardiac rate of SHR rats. Blood pressure including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure significantly increased. After Rg2 treatment, blood pressure of SHR significantly decreased, but no significant changes were found in WKY rats. mRNA levels of MMP2 and MMP9 of SHR rats were significantly higher than those of WKY rats. After Rg2 treatment, mRNA levels of MMP2 and MMP9 of SHR rats significantly decreased, whereas those of WKY were not changed. After Rg2 treatment, changes of protein levels of MMP2 and MMP9 were similar to those of mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONRg2 significantly decreased blood pressure and expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 in kidneys of SHR rats.