Angiotensin-(1-7) and the Rat Aorta: Modulation by the Endothelium

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Peptide metabolites of angiotensin I and II are active components of the renin-angiotensin system. One such peptide is angiotensin-(1-7), which has been shown to be present in various tissues and has properties distinct from those of angiotensin II. We examined the effects of angiotensin-(1-7) on endothelium-intact and denuded rat aorta. Second, we evaluated whether an interaction occurred between angiotensin-(1-7) and angiotensin peptides, as well as noradrenaline. Finally, we addressed whether the responses to angiotensin-(1-7) were mediated by an AT1 receptor. Angiotensin-(1-7) produced concentration-dependent relaxations of the rat aorta that were significantly greater in endothelium-intact preparations (81.1 ± 18.9% and 29.6 ± 2.9% for intact and denuded, respectively). Angiotensin-(1-7) inhibited responses generated to angiotensin I, II, III, and noradrenaline. In endothelium-denuded preparations, angiotensin-(1-7) produced a rightward shift of the concentration-effect curves to angiotensin III and noradrenaline. In addition, the inhibition against angiotensin I and II was significantly greater in endothelium-intact preparations [mean median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for endothelium-intact preparations, 1.25 × 10−9 M and 1.57 × 10−9 M for angiotensin I and II, respectively; and for endothelium-denuded preparations, 1.77 × 10−8 M and 1.17 × 10−8 M for angiotensin I and II, respectively). Losartan did not affect relaxations in endothelium-intact preparations but caused a significant potentiation of the relaxation by angiotensin-(1-7) in denuded preparations. We conclude that angiotensin-(1-7) is a component of the renin-angiotensin system that acts to modulate the pressor effects of angiotensin II and noradrenaline.