Table 1_Effects of candesartan on cellular redox status and bioenergetics of cardiac tissue in normal and chronically stressed rats.docx

The present study examined the effect of candesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blocker primarily used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure, on the antioxidant capacity and energy homeostasis of cardiac tissue in UCMS-subjected rats.</p>Methods<p>Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 12/group): undosed normal controls (NC), UCMS-subjected rats (UCMS), unstressed candesartan-treated rats (Can), and stressed candesartan-treated rats (UCMS + Can).

Enzyme activities and mRNA transcripts of key antioxidant enzymes, tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes, and respiratory chain complexes were measured in myocardial tissue, together with oxidative-phosphorylation (OXPHOS) markers, redox state, and the energy-homeostasis ratios GSH/GSSG, NAD⁺/NADH, and ATP/ADP.</p>Results<p>The UCMS group showed marked elevations in oxidative-stress markers, accompanied by significantly reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and downregulated antioxidant gene expression.