ORGAN SPECIFICITY OF ANGIOTENSIN-II AND DES-ASPARTYL-ANGIOTENSIN-II IN CONSCIOUS RAT

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 198  (2) , 450-456
Abstract
Des-Asp angiotensin II (des-Asp AII) is a naturally occurring heptapeptide metabolite of angiotensin II (AII) which is formed by the enzymatic action of aminopeptidase A. Angiotensin II and des-Asp AII were infused into unanesthetized rats while direct mean arterial pressure, serum aldosterone and serum corticosterone were measured. Both AII and des-Asp AII caused a dose-related increase in serum aldosterone with a significant increase occurring with a dose as low as 1 ng/min. This effect was blocked by pretreatment with 1-Sar-8-Ala-angiotensin II, a competitive inhibitor of AII; the inhibitor was more effective in blocking the effects of AII (101%) than of des-Asp AII (82%). Both angiotensins induced a dose-related increase in serum corticosterone and mean arterial pressure. Des-Asp AII was, however, only 1/10 as potent as AII in elevating mean arterial pressure. 1-Sar-8-Ala-AII was also effective in inhibiting the pressor effects of AII and des-Asp AII. These data illustrated a high degree of organ specificity or selectivity for des-Asp AII and a low specificity for AII. Aminopeptidase A and leucine aminopeptidase were identified in the adrenal cortex and medulla in large amounts. Des-Asp AII may, thus, be formed from AII locally in the adrenal gland prior to exerting its action at that site.