Vasoconstrictor role for vasopressin in experimental heart failure in the rabbit.

Vasopressin's role as a vasoconstrictor in chronic heart failure, was examined in rabbits with adriamycin cardiomyopathic congestive heart failure. Chronic adriamycin treatment resulted in a decrease in cardiac output (829 +/- 38-610 +/- 36 ml/min, P less than 0.005) and blood pressure (83 +/- 2-76 +/- 3 mmHg, P less than 0.01), and an increase in peripheral resistance (8,377 +/- 381-10,170 +/- 657 dyn-s-cm-5, P less than 0.05). Plasma renin activity (4.7 +/- 0.6-10.9 +/- 2.8 ng angiotensin I/ml X h) and norepinephrine (0.7 +/- 0.1-1.3 +/- 0.2 pmol/ml, P less than 0.05) increased while plasma vasopressin levels did not change. Vasopressin infusion, however, produced significantly greater increases in peripheral resistance in animals with heart failure than in controls. Moreover, a specific vasopressin vascular antagonist reduced blood pressure (7 +/- 3%) and peripheral resistance (14 +/- 4%) and increased cardiac output (10 +/- 3%) in animals with heart failure but had no cardiovascular effects in normal rabbits. These results suggest that vascular sensitivity to vasopressin is increased in heart failure, and that it contributes significantly to the increased afterload in heart failure despite normal plasma levels. In this model of severe, chronic heart failure the sympathetic, renin-angiotensin, and vasopressin systems all appear to be activated.

Molecular cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding a sheep arginine vasopressin type 1a receptor.

The gene for the sheep arginine vasopressin type 1a (V1a) receptor subtype was cloned from a genomic library. The deduced amino acid sequence shows characteristics of a G-protein coupled receptor and high sequence identity to human and rat V1a receptor sequences (81% and 73%, respectively). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed a tissue distribution consistent with a type V1a receptor. The genomic DNA (7.1 kb) contains a 1586 bp intron between the putative 6th and 7th transmembrane domains.

Vasopressin and angiotensin II contribute equally to the increased afterload in rabbits with heart failure.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Vasopressin, like angiotensin, has both vasoconstrictor and fluid retaining properties and therefore may make an important contribution to the pathogenesis of low output congestive heart failure. The study aimed to examine the relative importance of the renin-angiotensin system and vasopressin in an animal model of heart failure. DESIGN: The acute haemodynamic effects of vasopressin receptor blockade with a selective antagonist, d(CH2)5DAVP (AVPA) (30 micrograms.kg-1) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition with captopril (1 mg.kg-1) were compared. The effect of combined blockade (ie, vasopressin receptor antagonist + angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) was also examined. EXPERIMENTAL MATERIAL: Rabbits, 2.5-3.5 kg, with doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy and heart failure (n = 20) were used. There were 15 controls. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both AVPA and captopril produced significant increases in cardiac output (11% and 13% respectively) and falls in peripheral vascular resistance (21% and 17% respectively). Inhibition of the two vasoconstrictor systems was additive and resulted in a fall in peripheral vascular resistance to levels found in normal animals. CONCLUSIONS: Vasopressin and angiotensin II make equal contributions to the raised peripheral vascular resistance observed in this model of heart failure. Vasopressin inhibition may be useful in the treatment of heart failure either alone or as an adjunct to angiotensin converting inhibition.

Autologous neutrophil derived supernatants inhibit endothelium dependent relaxation in human coronary bypass graft.

OBJECTIVE: Spasm of internal mammary artery is a problem during coronary artery bypass grafting. The mechanism is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether supernatants derived from neutrophils affected endothelium dependent relaxation of human internal mammary artery. METHODS: The studies involved use of an organ chamber, measurement of cytosolic Ca2+, electron microscopy, and chemical characterisation. RESULTS: Autologous neutrophils and internal mammary artery were obtained from patients undergoing the bypass grafting. Supernatants derived from the neutrophils were used to treat the patients' internal mammary artery rings. The results showed that the supernatants derived from 1 x 10(3)-5 x 10(6) cells.ml-1 neutrophils produced a potent concentration dependent inhibition of the endothelium dependent relaxation to ATP, acetylcholine, and the calcium ionophore A23187, but not the endothelium independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside. In cultured human endothelial cells, the neutrophil derived supernatants induced an increase in cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i), caused calcium oscillations, and desensitised the ATP induced increase in [Ca2+]i. The increased [Ca2+]i resulted from a calcium influx. The supernatants also induced an increase in vesicle formation and possibly exocytosis in the internal mammary artery endothelium. Chemical characterisation showed that the effect of the supernatants was caused by a factor that is stable to heat, extreme pH and protease, is negatively charged and weakly hydrophobic, and has a molecular weight under 500 Dalton. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous neutrophils release a stable non-protein small molecule that disturbs internal mammary artery endothelial function. Since it raises [Ca2+]i and causes possible exocytosis, it may have functions beyond its inhibition of vascular relaxation. This factor could be one of the contributors to internal mammary artery spasm and late atherosclerosis.

Identification of "angiotensin immunoreactive material" in rat kidney.

The reported presence of large quantities of a high molecular weight form of angiotensin I and II in renin granules from rat kidney cortex was investigated. Subcellular fractionation by differential centrifugation and isopycnic gradient centrifugation confirmed the presence of 'angiotensin I immunoreactive material,' but the distribution resembled that of lysosomes rather than renin granules, mitochondria or protein. The material did not possess pressor properties, was stable to incubation at 37 C and was precipitated by ethanol. Incubation of subcellular fractions with peptidase inhibitors known to inhibit the activity of renal angiotensinases (EDTA, diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate and 2,3-dimercaptopropanol) decreased the level of 'angiotensin I immunoreactive material' in kidney fractions treated by radioimmunoassay. By paper chromatography it was apparent that subcellular fractions were capable of degrading 125I-labelled angiotensin I used as tracer in the radioimmunoassay. The degree of degradation followed the distribution of lysosomes among the fractions and was decreased by the angiotensinase inhibitors. The apparent molecular weight of the major portion of angiotensinase activity persisting despite the presence of angiotensinase inhibitors was 75,000, a value similar to that of 'angiotensin immunoreactive material'inkidney fractions treated with non-ionic detergent. On the basis of the present findings it is suggested that 'angiotensin immunoreactive material' may be largely artifactual, beingcreated by the hydrolysis of tracer by angiotensinase enzymes during radioimmunoassay to form fragments that are no longer capable of binding to the specific antibody. This would produced results that would appear the same as those produced had genuine angiotensin immunoreactivity indeed been present in the samples. Such an effect could, in principle, occur in any competitive protein binding assay and should be tested.

Isolation of renin granules from rat kidney cortex and evidence for an inactive form of renin (prorenin) in granules and plasma.

Renin was demonstrated in particles having a sedimentation velocity similar to that of mitochondria during differential centrifugation separated renin granules from the bulk of mitochondria and lyosomes, as well as from microsomes and cytoplasm. The density of renin granules was 1.202, which differed from the mean equilibrium densities of mitochondria (1.175) and lysosomes (1.170 and 1.230) in the heavy granule fraction. In studies involving gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoreis, renin granules appeared to contain an inactive form of renin that could be activated by acid treatment, had a higher apparent molecular weight than renin, and may be a more basic molecule. Inactive renin was also studied in plasma by electrophoresis and may originate from renin granules after exocytosis by the juxtaglomerular cells. Inactive renin may be a biosynthetic precursor (prorenin) and may be activated within the cell by a specific protease consequent upon the fusion of renin granules with lysosomes, thus providing a mechanism for the rapid regulation of renin activity prior to secretion.

Renal proximal tubular alpha-adrenergic receptors oppose urinary 3,5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate response to parathyroid hormone in vivo.

In both man and rat, urinary cAMP (U cAMP) level increases in response to PTH. The increased cAMP arises largely by secretion from the proximal tubule where cAMP synthesis is stimulated by PTH through adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors. We have previously demonstrated alpha 2-adrenergic receptors which inhibit PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase in rat renal cortex membranes in vitro. In the present study, the effects of alpha-adrenergic agonists and antagonists on the U cAMP response to PTH were investigated in anesthetized rats in vivo. Injection of PTH (15 U/kg iv) produced an increase in U cAMP from 1.7 +/- 0.3 to 7.4 +/- 0.7 nmol cAMP/mumol creatinine (n = 6), (P less than 0.001). This rise was largely due to an increase in nephrogenous cAMP which increased 10-fold. Infusion of the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist clonidine at 1 microgram/kg X min caused a decrease in the cAMP response to PTH to 3.6 +/- 0.5 nmol cAMP/mumol creatinine (n = 12) (P less than 0.001). Infusion of the alpha 2-selective catecholamine alpha-methylnorepinephrine (1 microgram/kg X min) caused a similar reduction in U cAMP response to that observed with clonidine. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (100 micrograms/kg X min) reversed the effects of clonidine and, when administered in the absence of alpha-agonists, caused an increased cAMP response to PTH. These results demonstrate the presence of alpha-receptors in the rat proximal convoluted tubule which oppose the actions of PTH in vivo.

Inhibition of adenylate cyclase by angiotensin II in rat renal cortex.

Adenylate cyclase of rat renal cortex was inhibited by angiotensin II (AII). Inhibition required Na+ (100-200 mM) and GTP (10(-8)-10(-4) M) and was opposed by the receptor antagonist [1-sarcosine, 8-isoleucine]AII. The EC50 value (+/- SE)for inhibition by AII was 3.7 +/- 1.2 nM, and the maximum inhibition (+/- SE) was 23 +/- 3%. Inhibition was specific for AII, since both AI and AIII, at concentrations up to 1 microM, were ineffective in producing inhibition. The maximum decrease (+/- SE) in adenylate cyclase activity was from 2.45 +/- 0.08 to 1.78 +/- 0.1 pmol.min/mg protein. A similar absolute decrease was observed when adenylate cyclase was stimulated by calcitonin, vasopressin, or isoproterenol. The inhibition of PTH-stimulated activity [16.7 +/- 0.5 (+/- SE) to 12.2 +/- 0.7 pmol.min/mg protein) was significantly greater than the inhibition of basal activity. Therefore, at least some of the inhibitory angiotensin receptors are coupled to adenylate cyclase molecules which also coupled to receptors for PTH.

Inhibition of adenylate cyclase in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells by angiotensin II.

Adenylate cyclase in homogenates of rat adrenal glomerulosa cells was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by angiotensin II (AII). The maximum inhibition of basal activity was 34.5 +/- 2.7% and the EC50 value for AII was 1.1 +/- 0.4 nM (n = 6). Similar maximum inhibitions were produced by the precursor decapeptide, AI, and the heptapeptide, AIII [(des asp) AII]. The EC50 values for these two peptides were respectively 72 +/- 8 nM and 25 +/- 5 nM (n = 6). The antagonist compound (1-sarcosine, 8-isoleucine)-AII, reversed the effect of AII. Inhibition of the adrenal enzyme required guanosine triphosphate and monovalent cations as has been described for adenylate cyclase inhibition in other tissues. Maximum inhibition was observed at 10(-5) M guanosine triphosphate and 150 mM Na+ or Li+ ion. Both basal adenylate cyclase activity and activity stimulated by adrenocorticotrophic hormone were inhibited. These results demonstrate the presence in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells of angiotensin receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase inhibition and show that their properties are similar to those of adrenal angiotensin receptors described previously.

Characterization of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in the testis and assessment of the in vivo effects of the ACE inhibitor perindopril.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was characterized by radioligand studies utilizing the potent ACE inhibitor 351A, a derivative of lisinopril. Ligand binding characteristics were similar for ACE derived from testis, lung, and kidney, despite known differences in structure between ACe from these sources. This observation suggests that the ACE active enzymatic site is similar in different tissues. The effect of the orally active ACE inhibitor perindopril was studied ex vivo in tissues of the rat after oral gavage. Radioligand bound to tissue ACE was reduced after perindopril treatment, in tissue homogenates of lung and kidney, but not testis. Autoradiographs of radioligand binding to tissue sections obtained ex vivo after oral perindopril showed inhibition of ACE in the aorta, lung, and kidney, but did not reveal any inhibition of ACE in the testis. ACE in small vessels of the testis was inhibited as in the aorta, while at the same time testicular ACE was unaffected. ACE in rat testis appears to have a similar enzymatic binding site to ACE from the lung and kidney. Perindopril inhibited ACE in the lung and kidney but did not affect ACE in the testis, suggesting the drug is limited in testicular penetration by the blood-testis barrier. This may explain the lack of any reports of adverse effects of ACE inhibitors on testicular function.

Vasopressin stimulates phosphatidylinositol turnover and aldosterone synthesis in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells: comparison with angiotensin II.

Vasopressin (VP) action was identified in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells measuring the VP stimulation of phosphatidylinositol breakdown to inositol-1-phosphate (IP). The pKb value (negative log of EC50) for arginine VP (AVP) was 9.1 +/- 0.4 (n = 6). The V2-selective agonist 1-deamino-8-D-arginine VP did not stimulate IP accumulation. Furthermore, the V1-selective antagonist [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid) 2-(O-methyl) tyrosine]AVP (10(-7)M) prevented the stimulation by VP. Thus, the VP receptors in adrenal glomerulosa cells appeared to be V1-type similar to those found in liver and vasculature and different from those in kidney. Angiotensin II (AII) also stimulated accumulation of IP but the maximum stimulation achieved was much greater than with VP. In the case of AII, stimulation of phosphatidylinositol breakdown is thought to be the initiating event in the stimulation of aldosterone synthesis. In agreement with this, both VP and AII stimulated aldosterone synthesis, the maximum AII stimulation (6.5- +/- 1.3-fold, n = 7) being much greater than the VP stimulation (1.7 +/- 0.33-fold, n = 7).

Localization of vasopressin binding sites in rat tissues using specific V1 and V2 selective ligands.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) acts on at least two receptor types, classified on the basis of their second messengers. The V1 receptor acts via mobilization of intracellular calcium through phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and influences blood pressure and hepatic glycogenolysis. The V2 receptor acts via cAMP through activation of adenylate cyclase and causes antidiuresis. Previous studies of the different AVP receptors have been hampered by the use of nonselective radioligands, such as [3H]AVP (which binds to all types of V1 and V2 receptors, certain oxytocin receptors, and neurophysins) as well as the difficulty of measurement of second messengers. This paper describes the use of selective V1 and V2 radioligands with in vitro autoradiography to study V1 and V2 binding sites in rat tissues. [125I][1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid), 7-sarcosine] arginine vasopressin ([125I][d(CH2)5,Sarcosine7]AVP), a selective V1 antagonist radioligand, bound to regions of the brain, testis, superior cervical ganglion, liver, blood vessels, and renal medulla. Pharmacological characterization of [125I][d(CH2)5,Sarcosine7]AVP binding was consistent with that expected for binding to V1 receptors. There was no specific binding demonstrable to pituitary, renal glomeruli, gut, heart, spinal cord, ovary, adrenal medulla, or adrenal cortex. [3H]1-deamino [8-D-arginine] vasopressin [( 3H]DDAVP), a potent V2 receptor agonist radioligand, was used to study V2 receptors. Specific binding was only identified in the kidney consistent with the known distribution of antidiuretic V2 receptors on renal collecting tubules. No binding was demonstrated on endothelium or liver where DDAVP might influence clotting factor release, nor in the brain, spinal cord, sympathetic ganglia, heart or vascular smooth muscle, regions where DDAVP might cause vasodilatation. These studies demonstrate the use of these radioligands to study V1 and V2 receptors in a variety of tissues. Also, since these ligands are selective they are of particular use to study the different receptor subtypes in tissues where V1 and V2 receptors coexist, such as in the kidney.

The physiological release of specific individual neurophysins into the circulation of pigs.

Specific homologous radioimmunoassays for the two major porcine neurophysins have been developed and utilized to measure plasma neurophysins during events known to release vasopressin (dehydration and hemorrhage) and oxytocin (parturition and suckling). During hemorrhage plasma neurophysin I increased 2-25 times and decreased toward basal levels after reinfusion of the blood while plasma neurophysin II was low and showed only minor fluctuations. Neurophysin II was released during parturition and suckling in a pattern similar to that reported for oxytocin release during these events. A rise in plasma neurophysin II occurred towards the end of parturition and spurt release occurred in suckling. The function of neurophysins in the plasma is unknown but porcine neurophysin I has been shown to be released independently into the circulation in response to hemorrhage. Independent release of neurophysin II during parturition and suckling was not demonstrated. In the pig, release of neurophysin I may be associated with vasopressin release and neurophysin II associated with oxytocin release.

Properties of [3H]1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin as a radioligand for vasopressin V2-receptors in rat kidney.

[3H]1-Desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin [3H] DDAVP was assessed as a radioligand for vasopressin V2-receptors by studying its membrane-binding characteristics and in vitro autoradiographic localization in rat kidney, a rich source of V2-receptors. [3H]DDAVP bound specifically to a single class of high affinity, low capacity sites in rat medullopapillary membranes. Specific [3H]DDAVP binding at 25 C reached equilibrium after 2 h of incubation and was saturable and linear with protein concentration up to 2.2 mg/ml protein. Saturation analysis gave an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.76 nM. Displacement of [3H]DDAVP binding by unlabeled arginine vasopressin (AVP) and related analogs gave the following order of potency, consistent with that expected for a V2-receptor: DDAVP approximately equal to AVP approximately equal to 1-desamino-AVP greater than lysine vasopressin greater than oxytocin greater than [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylene-propionic acid, 2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]AVP. The C-terminal metabolites of AVP, (pGlu4Cyt6)AVP-(4-9), and (pGlu4Cyt6)AVP-(4-8) did not displace [3H]DDAVP binding. No degradation of [3H] DDAVP during incubation could be detected by HPLC analysis. In vitro autoradiography of [3H]DDAVP binding to rat kidney sections showed a very dense localization of displaceable binding over inner and outer medulla, with a much lower density in cortex, consistent with the known major localization of V2-receptors on renal collecting tubules. These studies suggest that [3H]DDAVP is a suitable radioligand for labeling V2-receptors and may be useful in the characterization of vasopressin receptor subtypes in a variety of tissues and in purification of the V2-receptor.

Identification, distribution, and expression of angiotensin II receptors in the normal human prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The tissue distribution, cellular localization, and level of expression of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors were examined in the normal human prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by in vitro autoradiography, immunohistochemistry, and radioligand binding studies. In the normal human prostate, Ang II receptors were of the AT(1) subtype and localized predominantly to periurethral stromal smooth muscle. The AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan totally displaced specific [(125)I]-[Sar(1),Ile(8)]Ang II binding, in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the AT(2) receptor antagonist PD123319 was without effect. There was no significant difference in receptor affinity, but AT(1) receptor density was markedly reduced in BPH compared with that in normal prostate. In rat prostate, Ang II (0.01-1 microM) produced a concentration-dependent increase in [(3)H]-noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves. The findings of the present study suggest that angiotensin AT(1) receptors predominate in the human prostate. The high concentration of AT(1) receptors in the periurethral region suggests a role for Ang II in modulating cell growth, smooth muscle tone, and possibly micturition. Furthermore, down-regulation of AT(1) receptors in BPH may be due to receptor hyperstimulation by increased local levels of Ang II in BPH. Finally, Ang II may play a functional role in modulating sympathetic transmission in the prostate. These data support the novel concept that activation of the renin-angiotensin system may be involved in the pathophysiology of BPH.

Changes in tissue alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors in renal hypertension in the rat.

Myocardial membranes prepared from renal hypertensive rats contained reduced concentrations of both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors. The decrease in alpha-receptor concentration measured by [3H]-dihydroergocryptine binding was from 80 +/- 6 (SEM) to 52 +/- 2 fmol/mg. Beta-receptor concentration measured by 125I-iodohydroxybenzylpindolol binding also decreased by about half from 80 +/- 16 to 41 +/- 9 fmol/mg. The affinities of the receptors were unchanged. There was no change in either concentration or affinity of beta receptors in membranes prepared from the lungs or kidneys of these hypertensive rats. There results demonstrate that the observed receptor changes are tissue-specific. Cardiac adrenergic receptor alterations are therefore not part of a generalized adrenergic receptor decrease associated with elevated circulating plasma catecholamine concentrations, but probably reflect a specific increase in cardiac sympathetic drive.

Salt blocks the renal benefits of ramipril in diabetic hypertensive rats.

To establish if the benefit of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy in retarding progressive diabetic renal injury is due to a specific intrarenal effect of the systemic hypotensive effect, we studied the effect of long-term ramipril treatment on blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, and urinary protein excretion in streptozotocin-diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats. The hypotensive effect of ramipril was prevented by a high salt diet, which did not alter the degree of renal angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition. Three weeks after uninephrectomy and induction of diabetes, rats were allocated to three groups. Groups 1 and 2 were given 1% NaCl, whereas group 3 was given water as drinking solution. One week later, groups 2 and 3 received 0.4 mg/kg/day ramipril in their drinking solution, which was continued over a 2-month period. Ramipril produced a blood pressure fall only in water-drinking rats (group 3) despite a similar reduction in plasma and renal angiotensin converting enzyme activity in groups 2 and 3. Salt-loaded rats had a progressive increase in urinary protein excretion over the duration of study. Ramipril treatment prevented an increase in protein excretion only in animals given water and with a reduced systolic blood pressure. Glomerular filtration rate was similar in all three groups. Ramipril treatment improved animal survival independently of a reduction in blood pressure or an effect on proteinuria. Although it is possible that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have specific intrarenal effects reducing progression of diabetic proteinuria, concomitant control of systemic blood pressure appears to be necessary to demonstrate a benefit.

The contribution of vasopressin and angiotensin to the maintenance of blood pressure after autonomic blockade.

The contribution of vasopressin and angiotensin II to the maintenance of blood pressure after short-term autonomic blockade was investigated in conscious Long-Evans and Brattleboro (vasopressin-deficient; hereditary diabetes insipidus) rats. After short-term autonomic blockade by atropine (1 mg/kg), propranolol (5 mg/kg), and pentolinium (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg/hr), the fall in blood pressure was significantly greater in Brattleboro rats than in Long-Evans rats (48 +/- 3 vs 32 +/- 2 mm Hg; p less than 0.01). Administration of the vasopressin vascular receptor antagonist D(CH2)5Tyr-(Me)AVP (2 micrograms/kg) caused further blood pressure decreases only in Long-Evans rats, so that the final blood pressure in both groups was identical. Administration of enalaprilat (10 mg/kg), an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, further reduced blood pressure in both strains. When enalaprilat was given first after autonomic blockade, it reduced blood pressure in Brattleboro rats but not in Long-Evans rats. Administration of the vasopressin antagonist after enalaprilat further reduced blood pressure only in Long-Evans rats. The fall in blood pressure following vasopressin blockade was greater than that occurring after angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition (14 +/- 1 vs 6 +/- 1 mm Hg; p less than 0.05) in autonomic blockade Long-Evans rats. Plasma levels of vasopressin in Long-Evans rats increased markedly after short-term autonomic blockade, whereas plasma renin and angiotensin II levels were unchanged. Plasma angiotensin II levels were increased by the vasopressin antagonist and decreased by enalaprilat. We conclude that, due to sympathetic nervous system blockade and consequent blunting of renal renin release, vasopressin has a greater capacity than the renin-angiotensin system for maintaining blood pressure after short-term autonomic blockade.

Plasma vasopressin and human neurophysins in physiological and pathological states associated with changes in vasopressin secretion.

Using sensitive specific RIAs for vasopressin (AVP) and the two major human neurophysins, the relationship between AVP and the individual human neurophysins was investigated in man by measuring changes in plasma concentrations in physiological and pathological states known to be associated with changes in AVP secretion. Dehydration, water loading, and hemorrhage produced small but significant changes in plasma AVP concentrations without changes in the individual human neurophysins. In response to the stimulus of cigarette smoke inhalation, large parallel changes in plasma AVP and human neurophysin I (HNPI) levels were seen without change in plasma human neurophysin II (HNPII) levels. In the pathological states of diabetes insipidus and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion,the observations more strongly supported a specific association between AVP and NHPI. In eight patients with central diabetes insipidus, plasma AVP and HNPI levels were low or undetectable, while plasma HNPII levels were normal. There was a clear distinction of both plasma AVP and HNPI levels in patients with central diabetes insipidus and those in patients whti nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In 14 patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion due to causes other than ectopic AVP production from tumors, plasma AVP and HNPI levels were elevated or normal, while plasma HNPII levels were normal. There was a highly significant positive correlation (r = 0.99) between plasma AVP and HNPI levels in these patients, with a 1:1 molar ratio. These data suggest that the secretion of AVP and HNPI in man are functionally related, while the secretion of HNPII is independent of AVP secretion.

Inhibition of tissue angiotensin converting enzyme. Quantitation by autoradiography.

Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in serum and tissues of rats was studied after administration of lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor. Tissue ACE was assessed by quantitative in vitro autoradiography using the ACE inhibitor [125I]351A, as a ligand, and serum ACE was measured by a fluorimetric method. Following oral administration of lisinopril (10 mg/kg), serum ACE activity was acutely reduced but recovered gradually over 24 hours. Four hours after lisinopril administration, ACE activity was markedly inhibited in kidney (11% of control level), adrenal (8%), duodenum (8%), and lung (33%; p less than 0.05). In contrast, ACE in testis was little altered by lisinopril (96%). In brain, ACE activity was markedly reduced 4 hours after lisinopril administration in the circumventricular organs, including the subfornical organ (16-22%) and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (7%; p less than 0.05). In other areas of the brain, including the choroid plexus and caudate putamen, ACE activity was unchanged. Twenty-four hours after administration, ACE activity in peripheral tissues and the circumventricular organs of the brain had only partially recovered toward control levels, as it was still below 50% of control activity levels. These results establish that lisinopril has differential effects on inhibiting ACE in different tissues and suggest that the prolonged tissue ACE inhibition after a single oral dose of lisinopril may reflect targets involved in the hypotensive action of ACE inhibitors.