Angiotensin II stimulates peptide leukotriene production by guinea pig airway via the AT 1 receptor pathway

Abstract

Angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates a variety of physiological functions, including contraction of smooth muscle. Peptide leukotrienes (LTs) have recently been reported to be potent bronchoconstrictors and may play a role in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation. However, the possibility that Ang II and peptide LTs interact in the control of airway function has not been studied. In this study, we showed that Ang II receptors are present on guinea pig airway, and that they are of the AT 1 subtype. We showed the possibility that Ang II induced the release of peptide LTs from guinea pig airway by activation of the AT 1 receptor pathway. Our findings thus suggest that interaction between Ang II and peptide LTs might increase airway inflammation in the guinea pig.