Inhibition of neurotransmission by angiotensin I and II in rabbit isolated ear artery

Antihypertensive and vascular remodelling effects of the imperatorin derivative OW1 in renovascular hypertension rats

OW1 is a novel imperatorin derivative that exhibits vasodilator activity. In the present study, the antihypertensive effect of and inhibition of vascular remodelling by OW1 were investigated in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats. Rats were subjected to the 2K1C procedure and treated with OW1 (40 or 80 mg/kg per day) for 8 weeks. Blood pressure was measured in conscious rats. Microalbumin (mALB) and total protein (U-TP) concentrations were determined in the urine, as were plasma concentrations of angiotensin (Ang) II, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE). The unclipped kidney was stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome, whereas aortic sections were stained with Masson trichrome. In addition, OW1-induced vasodilatation was evaluated in vitro in rat mesenteric and renal arteries. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to quantify collagen I and III expression. OW1 relaxed rat mesenteric and renal arterial rings in vitro. Treatment of 2K1C hypertensive rats with OW1 (40 and 80 mg/kg per day) for 8 weeks significantly decreased blood pressure. In addition, OW1 reduced plasma AngII and ACE concentrations and increased plasma CGRP concentrations. At 80 mg/kg per day, OW1 decreased blood urea nitrogen, mALB and U-TP levels. Histological analysis revealed that OW1 reduced renal arteriolar thickness and relieved the structural hypertrophic arteries. Moreover, OW1 had an inhibitory effect on vascular remodelling and renal lesions in hypertensive rats. In conclusion, the results suggest that OW1 could potentially be a novel candidate for hypertension intervention.

Involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the depressor effects of losartan and perindopril in rats

Previous investigations have indicated that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular function, and that the development of hypertension may be related to the reduction of sensory vasodilator nerve actions. In the present study, we examined the effect of perindopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and losartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on the plasma level and synthesis of CGRP in 2 kidneys, 1-clip hypertensive rats (2K1C, Goldblatt). In the hypertension group, systolic blood pressure and mean artery pressure were raised, and the level of CGRP in plasma was slightly raised compared with control groups. Chronic treatment with losartan or perindopril significantly increased the plasma concentration of CGRP and the expression of CGRP mRNA in dorsal root ganglia in the 2K1C, Goldblatt hypertensive rats. These results suggest that the 2K1C, Goldblatt hypertensive model has a compensatory increase of sensory nerve actions, and that the depressor effects of perindopril or losartan may be related to stimulation of the synthesis and release of CGRP in the 2K1C, Goldblatt hypertensive rats.

Substrate- and inhibitor-specificity of a non-endothelial enzyme which forms [Met5]-enkephalin from [Met5]-enkephalin-Arg6,Phe7 in isolated rabbit ear artery: pharmacological characterization

The captopril-inhibited enzyme which forms [Met5]-enkephalin from [Met5]-enkephalin-Arg6,Phe7 in isolated rabbit ear artery was characterized further by using various natural substrate candidates/analogues ([Met5]-enkephalin-Arg6,Phe7 and its amide, [Met5]-enkephalin, angiotensin I and bradykinin), peptidase inhibitors such as captopril, enalaprilate and thiorphan and by endothelial removal. 10(-5) and 10(-4) M but not 10(-6) M captopril reduced the effectiveness of [Met5]-enkephalin-Arg6,Phe7 and potentiated the effect of bradykinin but did not affect markedly the action of the other peptides. Of the inhibitors, enalaprilate was less effective than captopril, and thiorphan had no effect. The [Met5]-enkephalin-Arg6,Phe7-->[Met5]-enkephalin conversion was not affected by endothelial removal. The substrate and inhibitor spectrum of this non-endothelial enzyme activity bears no relationship in other, hitherto characterized dipeptidylcarboxypeptidases/endopeptidases known to be involved in the metabolism of the tested peptides.

Vasoconstrictive effects of angiotensin I and II in cat femoral arteries. Role of endothelium

1. AI and AII induced concentration-dependent contractions in cat femoral artery segments, the potency of AII being greater than that of AI. 2. The antagonist of AII receptors, saralasin (1 and 10 nM), inhibited the AI and AII responses. 3. Indomethacin (10 microM) and endothelium removal increased the responses to AII, whereas those induced by AI were barely affected. 4. The response induced by AI was reduced by captopril (200 microM). 5. These data suggest: (1) the contractions induced by AII are mediated by AII receptors and endothelial products derived from cyclooxygenase, (2) the response to AI is, in part, produced by its conversion into AII.

Bradykinin and angiotensin II inhibit neurotransmission in rabbit ear artery by releasing prostanoids

In isolated, perfused rabbit ear artery bradykinin, like [Met5]enkephalin and angiotensin II, inhibited neurogenic constrictions in concentrations lower than 10(-8) M without affecting the responses to exogenous norepinephrine. The IC50 value of bradykinin was 1.95 x 10(-10) M. The inhibitory action of bradykinin and angiotensin II but not of [Met5]enkephalin was reduced or even reversed by indomethacin pretreatment, suggesting that endogenous prostanoids are involved.