Angiotensin II Formation Research Articles

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril suppresses a genetic polydipsic behavior

The STR/N inbred mouse is a behavioral mutant that drinks up to four times its body weight in water or normal saline per day when given free access, despite the lack of physiological need. Since angiotensin II (AII) is a powerful elicitor of drinking behavior, we investigated the influence of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, on the amount of water consumed by the STR/N mouse. Oral administration of captopril, which inhibits formation of AII (active octapeptide) from AI (precursor decapeptide), resulted in a reduction of 46 to 79% in water consumption of 53 polydipsic STR/N mice, and a 20-42% increase in water consumption of 12 of 13 Swiss/Webster (S/W) normodipsic control mice. These results suggest that the polydipsic behavior of the STR/N mutant may involve mediation by AII and/or another molecule which is also suppressed by captopril, such as another peptide, which, for activation, requires cleavage by a peptidase which is inhibited by captopril.

Quantitative evidence of peripheral conversion of angiotensin within the human leg: effects of local angiotensin-I administration and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on regional blood flow and angiotensin-II balance across the leg

The renin-angiotensin system relevantly contributes to the maintenance of systemic vascular tone and there is experimental evidence that large amounts of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) are present in peripheral vascular tissues, including resistance vessels. To determine and quantify peripheral vascular conversion of angiotensin-I (ANG-I) to angiotensin-II (ANG-II) across the human leg, the response of regional blood flow to local regional intra-arterial infusion of ANG-I and change in associated ANG-II balance were evaluated during ANG-I infusion and following additional ACE inhibition. Ten sodium-loaded healthy men were enrolled in the study. Following cannulation of both femoral arteries and the right femoral vein, leg blood flow was determined (indocyanine-green dye-dilution method) at baseline conditions and during constant intra-arterial infusion of haemodynamically ineffective doses of ANG-I as well as following concomitant intra-arterial administration of low doses of the non-sulfhydril ACE inhibitor cilazapril. From the transfemoral arterio-venous differences in ANG-II plasma concentrations and the corresponding regional blood (plasma) flow, the ANG-II balance across the leg was calculated. Systemic blood pressure did not change throughout the trial, indicating that no major systemic effects were present during ANG-I infusion or concomitant ACE inhibition. Moreover, arterial ANG-II plasma concentrations were not significantly changed by ANG-I infusion. Leg blood flow decreased to below baseline values following ANG-I infusion, increasing again then in a dose-dependent manner during concomitant cilazapril administration. The calculated baseline ANG-II balance across the leg revealed a net extraction in 6 out of 10 subjects and a net ANG-II formation in 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Local formation of angiotensin II in the rat aorta: effect of endothelium

1. The local formation of angiotensin II (AII) from its precursors, angiotensin I (AI) and tetradecapeptide (TDP) renin substrate, was studied in intact (with endothelium) and rubbed (without endothelium) aortic rings of the rat. 2. AI and TDP renin substrate maximally contracted intact tissues in a similar way to AII. The same observations were made in rubbed tissues. 3. The maximal response and the sensitivity of the aorta to these agonists were greater in rubbed than in intact tissues. 4. In intact preparations, methylene blue increased the contractile response to AII and TDP to the same extent as endothelium removal. 5. In intact preparations, AII receptor blockade completely suppressed all contractile responses, converting enzyme inhibition completely blocked the responses to AI and TDP, and renin inhibition partially blocked the responses to TDP. 6. In rubbed preparations, AII receptor blockade completely inhibited all contractile responses, converting enzyme inhibition completely suppressed the responses to AI but only partially inhibited those to TDP, and renin inhibition partially blocked the responses to TDP. 7. In conclusion, the formation of AII from TDP and its blockade by a converting enzyme inhibitor and a renin inhibitor shows that converting enzyme and a renin-like aspartic proteinase are present in the aortic wall. Furthermore, the results show that the endothelium is not essential for the conversion of the TDP to AII, but modulates the responses to locally formed AII through the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF).

Worsening of Anemia by Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Its Prevention by Antiestrogenic Steroid in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

The effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and their combined use with an antiestrogenic steroid on erythropoiesis were investigated in patients on chronic hemodialysis (CHD). Hematocrit was decreased by 10% or more in 6 of 12 patients who received either captopril or enalapril for 2-6 months. Erythropoietin (Epo) and angiotensin II (AII) were significantly reduced in these patients. When treatment with mepitiostane was combined with ACE inhibitor, anemia was significantly improved but without evidence of changes in circulating Epo concentrations or indices of renin-angiotensin activity. The reduction of AII and Epo formation by ACE inhibitors seems to play an important role in the worsening of anemia in patients on CHD; addition of an antiestrogenic steroid should be considered.

Transpulmonary angiotensin II formation in patients with chronic stable cor pulmonale.

The activity of the renin-angiotensin (RA) system and the ability of the lungs to generate angiotensin II (AII) were studied in 11 patients with stable cor pulmonale and respiratory failure caused by chronic obstructive bronchitis and emphysema. Angiotensin I concentrations (18.7 +/- 8.3 pmol/L) were normal, and transpulmonary AII formation rates (TRAIIFR) (14.2 +/- 18.1 pmol/min) were not significantly different from those recorded in nonedematous cardiac subjects (19.9 +/- 20.1 pmol/min), matched for sex, age, and diuretic therapy. The main determinant of TPAIIFR was the mixed venous AI concentration. Administration of oxygen for 30 min led to a small increase in TPAIIFR in the majority of patients. This increase could not be accounted for by changes in mixed venous AI. There was no correlation between serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels and either the TPAIIFR or the systemic arterial AII concentrations.

Effects of Angiotensin II Blockade on the Responses of the Pituitary–Adrenal Axis to Corticotropin-Releasing Factor in Humans

We investigated the possibility that angiotensin II (ANGII) augments the sensitivity of the pituitary to corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) by comparing, in patients with essential hypertension, the responses of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, aldosterone, and renin activity to a bolus injection of either 0.5 or 1.0 microgram/kg of synthetic ovine CRF in control conditions and after chronic treatment with the converting enzyme inhibitor captopril to block the formation of ANGII; the effects of CRF were examined up to 4 h after its administration. In control studies, we found that the two doses of CRF induced similar increments in ACTH and cortisol, the levels of which remained elevated throughout the studies; these changes were associated with increments in plasma aldosterone that were dose dependent, less pronounced, and of shorter duration and with a slight decrease in plasma renin activity. Captopril treatment increased basal plasma renin activity and lowered plasma aldosterone while leaving basal ACTH and cortisol unchanged. During converting enzyme inhibition, the responses of ACTH and cortisol to CRF were similar to those observed in control studies, whereas the changes in plasma aldosterone and plasma renin activity were, respectively, smaller and greater. From these results, it appears that during ANGII blockade the sensitivity of ACTH to CRF stimulation is unaffected, whereas that of the adrenals to ACTH is selectively reduced at the level of the zona glomerulosa.

Angiotensin II natriuresis and antinatriuresis: role of renal artery pressure, renal hemodynamics, and tubular reabsorption.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of changes in renal artery pressure (RAP), renal hemodynamics, and tubular reabsorption in mediating the natriuretic and antinatriuretic actions of angiotensin II (AII). In anesthetized dogs, endogenous AII formation was blocked with SQ-14225 and AII was infused i.v. at rates of 5-1215 ng/kg/min while RAP was either servo-controlled at the normal level or permitted to increase. When RAP was servo-controlled to prevent a rise i RAP, AII infusion at all rates from 5-1215 ng/kg/min decreased urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) and fractional sodium excretion (FENa), while increasing fractional reabsorption of lithium (FRLi), an index of proximal tubule fractional sodium reabsorption and distal fractional sodium reabsorption (FRDNa): When RAP was permitted to increase, AII infusion rates up to 45 ng/kg/min decreased UNaV, and FENa, while increasing FRLi and FRDNa. However, at 135 ng/kg/min and above, UNaV and FENa increased while FRLi and FRDNa decreased when RAP was allowed to rise, even though RBF and FF were not substantially different from the values observed when RAP was servo-controlled. Filtered sodium load was slightly higher when RAP was permitted to increase during AII infusion, compared to the dogs in which RAP was servo-controlled, although the differences were not statistically significant. Thus, even very large doses of AII cause antinatriuresis when RAP was prevented from increasing. The natriuretic effect of high dose of AII is caused by increased RAP which decreases fractional sodium reabsorption in proximal and distal tubules and causes slight increases in sodium delivery to the tubules.

Evidence for intracellular formation of angiotensins: Coexistence of renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme in Leydig cells of rat testis

Leydig cells were purified from rat testes by discontinuous metrizamide density gradient and were shown to contain renin (EC 3.4.99.1), angiotensin-converting enzyme (dipeptidyl car☐ypeptidase, (EC 3.4.15.1), and the peptide hormone angiotensins I, II and III as determined by the combined HPLC and radioimmunoassay. In germinal cells only angiotensin II (AII) was found at a significant level. These findings provide evidence for intracellular formation of AII in testicular cells and demonstrate that an intracellular renin-angiotensin system exists in normal non-transformed cells.

Role of endothelium in conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in rabbit aorta.

Rabbit aortic rings with either an intact endothelium or a disrupted endothelium were used to generate dose response curves to angiotensin I (AI) in the presence (ED50 = 3 X 10(-7) M) and absence (ED50 = 1.7 X 10(-8) M) of 10 micrograms/ml teprotide, a converting-enzyme inhibitor. Treatment with teprotide did not alter responses to angiotensin II (AII). Comparable dose-dependent responses were obtained with AII regardless of endothelial integrity. Contraction velocities in response to angiotensin I (10(-7) M) and AII (10(-7) M) were also measured. Angiotensin II produced a significantly greater contraction velocity (p less than 0.001) than that produced by AI. The amount of conversion to AII by both intact rabbit aortic rings and rings following removal of the endothelium was determined using 125I-AI and 125I-AII. Waters C18 SEP-PAK columns were used to separate AI and AII. During the first 3 to 4 minutes after the addition of AI, contraction velocity measurements and conversion were greater in intact rings than rings without endothelium. Conversion of AI to AII in endothelial-disrupted rings was the same as in intact rings by 5 minutes after the addition of AI. Conversion of AI to AII was inhibited by 30 micrograms/ml teprotide at all times measured, and there was no evidence of an alternate route of metabolism. Angiotensin I contraction velocity measurements after 10 micrograms/ml teprotide also demonstrated impaired efficiency of conversion of AI to AII. Thus, it was established that a lack of endothelium attenuated the rate of conversion of AI to AII initially, and formation of AII with or without endothelium was blocked by teprotide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Papillary plasma flow in rats. II. Hormonal control.

Papillary plasma flow (PPF) was measured by the albumin accumulation technique in Wistar rats. PPF was significantly lower in male (293 +/- 5 microliter X min-1 X g-1) than in female (499 +/- 17) rats. Castration in male rats increased PPF; testosterone administration in gonadectomized rats returned PPF to control. Acute indomethacin administration equalized PPF in both sexes to low values close to those found in normal males (320 +/- 5 in males, 326 +/- 17 in females). Conversely, captopril administration equalized PPF in both sexes by raising PPF in males (505 +/- 21) without significant change in females (526 +/- 88). Dehydration decreased PPF slightly in males (255 +/- 28) but more markedly in females (349 +/- 11). This decrease was prevented by captopril administration (520 +/- 34 and 609 +/- 61 in males and females, respectively). In captopril-treated male rats, angiotensin II (AII) was continuously infused by osmotic minipumps at a rate of 5 micrograms/h. This did not restore PPF (405 +/- 12) to basal values. In contrast, AII infusion together with indomethacin administration completely restored PPF (322 +/- 22) in captopril-treated rats whereas indomethacin alone did not normalize PPF (425 +/- 18). We suggest that male sex hormones and AII decrease PPF, and account for the low PPF measured in male rats. Vasodilator PGs are involved in the high PPF found in female rats. The vasodilator action of captopril on papillary circulation is explained by both decreased AII formation and increased PG synthesis.

Immunohistochemical evidence that angiotensins I and II are formed by intracellular mechanism in juxtaglomerular cells.

The existence of angiotensin II (AII) immunoreactivity in juxtaglomerular (JG) cells of rat kidney, which has been demonstrated previously by immunohistochemical studies, can be explained either as the product of intracellular synthesis or by the internalization of receptor-bound AII originating in plasma. To resolve these two alternative mechanisms, attempts were made to identify AI in JG cells of rat kidney by immunohistochemical staining using specific antibodies to AI. Although AI-like immunoreactivity was not detected in normal rat kidney, rats treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, MK-421 or captopril, showed AI-like immunoreactivity in JG cells. The presence of renin and AII-like immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the same cells by specific antibodies to respective antigens used on adjacent serial sections. These findings support an intracellular mechanism of the formation of AII and suggest an intracellular renin angiotensin system, presumably separate from the extracellular system.

Angiotensin-I converting enzyme activity in the sera of captopril-treated hypertensive patients.

The blood pressure and serum angiotensin-I converting enzyme (SACE) activity were measured in captopril-treated hypertensive patients at frequent intervals. Inhibition of SACE was observed in patients responding to the treatment with lowering of blood pressure as well as in nonresponding cases. It was therefore concluded that a mechanism not depending on the formation of angiotensin-II by ACE is responsible for the high blood pressure persisting in the captopril treated nonresponding hypertensive patients. SACE activity in sera of captopril-treated patients recovers from inhibition when stored in frozen state at -20 degrees c. An apparent dissociation was therefore observed when regeneration of SACE activity during storage of sera was not taken into account. Meaningful activities are therefore obtained only if the assay is performed without prolonged storage.

Angiotensin II immunoreactivity coexists with renin in the juxtaglomerular granular cells of the kidney.

The multiple physiologic functions of angiotensin II(AII) are generally supposed to be mediated by the peptide generated in the blood circulation. In addition to this extracellular mechanism of AII formation, we have obtained immunohistochemical evidence for the intracellular synthesis of AII in the kidney. Rats were perfused with fixative, and paraffin sections of the kidneys were processed with antisera against renin (EC 3.4.99.19), AII, and other components of the renin--angiotensin system. Renin immunoreactivity was regularly observed in the epithelioid granular cells in the media of the afferent vessel of the glomerulus. AII immunoreactivity was found to coexist within the same cells. This observation points to an intracellular production of AII in the juxtaglomerular epitheloid granular cells. AII may then be released concomitantly with renin in the interstitial fluid and in the blood. The paracrine secretion of AII could exert a local regulatory influence on the tonus of the glomerular vessels.

Blood pressure and renal function during chronic changes in sodium intake: role of angiotensin.

The present study was designed to quantitate the role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in determining the chronic relationships between arterial pressure (AP), renal hemodynamics, and Na excretion. In six control dogs, Na balance was achieved during chronic step increases in Na intake from 5 to 500 meq/day with small increases in AP (<7 mmHg), moderate increases in GFR (19%), and decreases in filtration fraction (FF) and plasma renin activity. Similar increases in Na intake in six dogs with angiotensin II (AII) fixed, due to constant intravenous infusion of 5 ng . kg-1 . min-1 AII, caused large increases in AP (42%), GFR (31%) FF, and calculated renal Na reabsorption (TNa) above control. In six dogs with AII formation blocked with SQ 14,225, Na balance at intakes of 5-80 meq/day occurred at reduced AP, GFR, FF, and TNa, although plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was not substantially different from that in control dogs. At Na intakes above 240 meq/day, AP was not altered by SQ 14,225. These data indicate that during chronic changes in Na intake the RAS plays a major role, independent of changes in PAC, in allowing Na balance without large changes in GFR or AP. The mechanism whereby AII conserves Na chronically is through increased TNa, since steady-state TNa was increased by AII and decreased by SQ 14,225.

Renin-like effects of NGF evaluated using renin-angiotensin antagonists.

Intracranial injection of angiotensin II (AII) or activation of the cerebral isorenin-angiotensin system with intracranial renin causes an immediate thirst and a delayed sodium appetite in the rat. Nerve growth factor (NGF), a polypeptide trophic factor for peripheral sympathetic and sensory neurones, has also been reported to be a potent stimulus to thirst and sodium appetite when injected into the brain of the rat. Lewis et al. drew attention to the marked similarity between the effects of 2.5S NGF and renin on thirst and sodium appetite and suggested that the NGF responses were mediated by the cerebral isorenin-angiotensin system. We report here that NGF-induced thirst and sodium appetite, as well as increased blood pressure and increase ornithine decarboxylase activity in the brain and liver, depend on the formation of AII (see also ref. 6).

Effect of converting enzyme inhibitor (SQ14,225) on myocardial hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The potent converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI) SQ14,225, which is known to prevent the formation of angiotensin II (AII) has been used to evaluate the role of AII in the development and reversal of cardiac hypertrophy. The present study describes the effect of CEI on blood pressure (BP) and myocardial hypertrophy (prevention and reversal) in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). A group of 3-week- and 8-week-old male SHR was treated with CEI (30 mg/kg in drinking water) for 6 weeks. An additional group of SHR was also treated with a combination of CEI and a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide, 500 mg/liter). Heart weight, BP, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), hydroxyproline, myocardial catecholamines, and plasma renin activity (PRA) were determined. In the prevention study, we found a significant reduction in the ratio of heart weight to body weight along with the prevention of hypertension (200 vs 145 mm Hg, p less than 0.001). Similar reductions in BP and heart weights were obtained with the reversal group. A better BP control was noted in the CEI and hydrochlorothiazide group. The reduction of heart weight was associated with a reduction in RNA and hydroxyproline content. In all groups, we found a significant increase in PRA (p less than 0.001) and a slight increase in tissue catecholamine concentration. No change in kidney weight was found in any group. Data clearly showed that oral administration of CEI prevented and reversed cardiac hypertrophy in SHR. Reversal was associated with a decrease in myocardial collagen content. These data indicate that prevention of AII formation in combination with BP control can prevent and reverse cardiac hypertrophy in SHR. Of course, whether or not CEI acts only through the renin angiotension system is still speculative.

Intrarenal role of renin-angiotensin system in the regulation of renal hemodynamics

A reduction of renal arterial pressure in mongrel dogs to 70 mmHg resulted in marked increases in plasma renin activity and plasma levels of angiotensin I (AI) and angiotensin II (AII). Production of renin and AI but not AII in the kidney was observed. A reduction of renal arterial pressure also resulted in a redistribution of blood flow from the outer to inner cortex. An arterial infusion of AII (200 ng/min), however, failed to affect the intrarenal distribution of the blood flow. An intrarenal infusion of AII rather restored the normal pattern of the distribution of intrarenal blood flow altered by the pressure reduction. These results indicate that the renin-angiotensin system is probably not involved in the control of renal hemodynamics through the intrarenal formation of AII, and that the intrarenal hemodynamic changes caused by pressure reduction is due to the intrinsic difference in myogenic force in different cortical zones.

Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-system in brattleboro rats with hereditary hypothalamic diabetes insipidus

Brattleboro rats homozygous for hypothalamic hereditary diabetes insipidus (DI rats) were used to investigate the following questions: a) Do exogenous and endogenous angiotensin II (AII) have an antidiuretic effect in diabetes insipidus? b) Does AII mediate the antidiuresis induced by furosemide? The following results were obtained: 1. AII (5 mg/kg s.c. in oil) and furosemide (50 mg/kg i.p.) decreased urine flow and increased urinary sodium excretion. Furosemide led to a two-fold increase of AII plasma concentrations and a decrease of plasma sodium levels. 2. SQ 14 225 (2 x 2.5 mg/kg p.o.), an angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor, led to an increase of urine flow and to a slightly elevated urinary sodium excretion. 3. When the formation of AII was blocked by SQ 14 225 (2 x 2.5 mg/kg p.o.), AII plasma concentrations were 2.5-fold decreased, but furosemide still reduced urine flow. We conclude that plasma AII might have an antidiuretic action in DI rats. However, AII does not mediate the antidiuresis induced by furosemide.

REGULATION OF RENIN RELEASE AND INTRARENAL FORMATION OF ANGIOTENSIN. STUDIES IN THE ISOLATED PERFUSED RAT KIDNEY

1. Isolated rat kidneys were perfused at a constant pressure of 90 mmHg in a single-pass system with either a cell-free medium or a suspension of washed bovine red blood cells, free of the components of the renin-angiotensin system. In red blood cell perfused kidneys renal haemodynamics and sodium reabsorption corresponded closer to values observed in the intact rat than in cell-free perfused kidneys. 2. In red blood cell-perfused kidneys in the absence of plasma renin substrate autoregulation of renal blood flow was almost complete at pressures above 90 mmHg, provided that perfusion pressure was changed rapidly. 3. Renin release varied inversely with perfusion pressure within a pressure range from 50 to 150 mmHg; the greatest changes of renin release occurred, when perfusion pressure was reduced from 90 to 70 mmHg; maximal stimulation of renin release was observed at 50 mmHg. After reduction of perfusion pressure, renin release immediately started to rise and reached a new level within 5 min. Local reduction of perfusion pressure in small arteries and arterioles by the injection of microspheres induced a short-lasting decrease in renal plasma flow and a transient stimulation of renin release. 4. High concentrations of furosemide stimulated renin release by a direct intrarenal mechanism. 5. Isoproterenol stimulated renin release in low concentrations without a concomitant vasodilation, whereas high concentrations induced an increase in both renal plasma flow and renin release. The effects of isoproterenol were completely blocked by propranolol. 6. Sodium nitroprusside induced similar increases in renal plasma flow, as did high concentrations of isoproterenol, but only a small and slow increase in renin release was observed. 7. Angiotensin II (AII) suppressed renin release in concentrations corresponding to plasma levels measured in the intact rat independently of its vasoconstrictor effects, whereas vasopressin in antidiuretic concentrations did not affect renin release. 8. AII, AI, synthetic tetradecapeptide renin substrate (TDP), crude and purified rat plasma renin substrate induced a dose-dependent reduction in renal plasma flow. SQ 20 881, a competitive inhibitor of converting enzyme, and low doses of 1-Sar-8-Ala-AII (saralasin), a competitive antagonist of AII, did not change renal plasma flow, whereas high concentrations of saralasin had a vasoconstrictor effect on their own. 9. Saralasin inhibited the vasoconstrictor effects of AII and TDP to a similar degree. SQ 20 881 inhibited the vasoconstrictor effects of AI and purified renin substrate, but did not influence the actions of TDP and the crude renin substrate preparation. 10. From these data it is concluded, that AI is converted into AII within the kidney at a rate of 1-2%. The vasoconstriction induced by the crude renin substrate probably does not involve the AII receptors. TDP may act by itself on the AII receptors or via the direct intrarenal formation of AII...