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The present study was designed to evaluate the antihypertensive activity and cardioprotective effects of magnesium taurate against cadmium chloride (CdCl 2 )-intoxicated albino rats. Sprague Dawley male albino rats (120-150 g) were divided into five groups having six animals in each group. Hypertension and cardiotoxicity were induced in animals by administration of CdCl 2 (0.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for four weeks. Magnesium taurate (2 and 4 mg/kg/day) was administered orally after induction of hypertension (after two weeks) in their respective groups concurrently with CdCl 2 for next two weeks. Amlodipine (3 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was used as a standard and administered after induction of hypertension. Blood pressure was monitored biweekly by using non-invasive blood pressure system and biochemical parameters and histopathology of the heart were evaluated after four weeks of the experimental protocol. During the four weeks of the experimental protocol, the toxic control group showed significant elevation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure concomitant with augmentation of cardiotoxicity as indicated by reduction in myocardial antioxidants including glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and increased malondialdehyde level in heart as compared to the normal group. The oral administrations of magnesium taurate significantly restored the blood pressure, myocardial antioxidants and malondialdehyde level as compared to toxic control group. In addition, histopathological examination showed that magnesium taurate treatments substantially reduced the myocardial damages against CdCl 2 treatment. The results suggest that magnesium taurate has prominent antihypertensive and cardioprotective activity via its potent antioxidant activity and can be used as a nutrition supplement to improve the cardiovascular health.

Purpose: To review current literature on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-mediated pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets in ocular diseases., Methods: A comprehensive literature survey was performed on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases published from 1977 to 2016. The search terms were a RAS, angiotensin, angiotensin receptor, prorenin, pro (renin) receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blocker associated with ocular disorders like cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), macular degeneration, and uveitis. Articles were reviewed on the basis of the association between ocular disorders and RAS and relevant articles were discussed., Results: The literature revealed that the individual RAS components including renin, angiotensins, angiotensin converting enzymes, and RAS receptors have been expressed in the specific ocular tissues like retina, choroid, and ciliary body. The activation of both circulatory and local RAS potentiate the various inflammatory and angiogenic signaling molecules, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and advanced glycation end products (AGE) in the ocular tissues and leads to several blinding disorders like DR, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. The classical and newer RAS inhibitors have illustrated protective effects on blinding disorders, including DR, glaucoma, macular degeneration, uveitis, and cataract., Conclusions: The RAS components are present in the extrarenal tissues including ocular tissue and have an imperative role in the ocular pathophysiology. The clinical studies are needed to show the role of therapeutic modalities targeting RAS in the treatment of different ocular disorders.