Coronary vasoconstriction in the conscious rabbit following intravenous infusion of L-NG-nitro-arginine

Intravenous infusion of L-NG-nitro-arginine, an inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, produced vasoconstriction in the coronary, cerebral, renal and duodenal vascular beds of the conscious rabbit. In this study, using radiolabelled microspheres, we provide in vivo evidence for a basal NO-dependent vasodilator tone in the coronary vascular bed.

Angiotensin(1-7) is an antagonist at the type 1 angiotensin II receptor

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the antagonism of the amino-terminal heptapeptide fragment of angiotensin II ([des-Phe8]-angiotensin II; Ang(1-7)) to angiotensin II (Ang II) both in vitro in rabbit aortae and in vivo in rats.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In rabbit isolated endothelium intact aortic rings Ang(1-7) caused a concentration-related rightward displacement of the Ang II curve and depressed the maximum response to Ang II. By applying the data to a Schild plot an apparent pA2 of 5.5 was calculated. This depression of maximum response could be reversed by co-incubation of Ang(1-7) with the competitive angiotensin antagonist losartan. Ang(1-7) had no effect on the contractile responses of several other agonists. Intravenous infusion of 10 or 100 micrograms/kg per min Ang(1-7) had no effect on the resting blood pressure in the anaesthetized rat but inhibited Ang II-induced pressor responses.

CONCLUSION

The present results show that Ang(1-7) is a specific non-competitive antagonist of Ang II at type 1 angiotensin II receptors.

Pharmacological properties of FPL 63547, a novel inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme

1. FPL 63547, in its active diacid form, was a potent inhibitor of rabbit lung angiotension converting enzyme (ACE) in vitro (IC50 0.51 nM). 2. In conscious normotensive dogs, FPL 63547 (10-300 micrograms kg-1 i.v.) produced prolonged, dose-related inhibition of plasma ACE activity and angiotensin I pressor responses, without affecting basal blood pressure, heart rate or pressor responses to angiotensin II. 3. In anaesthetized dogs, FPL 63547 diacid (3-300 micrograms kg-1 i.v. cumulatively) produced dose-related increases in cardiac output accompanied by falls in total peripheral resistance indicative of vasodilatation. Mild stimulation of cardiac rate and contractility was also observed. Enalapril diacid had a similar profile. 4. FPL 63547 was a highly effective antihypertensive agent after oral administration to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) pretreated with a diuretic. It lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP) on acute administration over the range 3 X 10(-7)-10(-5) mol kg-1 p.o. (congruent to 0.13-4.5 mg kg-1 p.o.). FPL 63547 was more potent than other ACE inhibitors tested, threshold active doses for lisinopril, enalapril and captopril being 10(-6), 10(-6) and 3 X 10(-5) mol kg-1 p.o., respectively. The antihypertensive effects of FPL 63547, unlike those of enalapril and captopril, were of long duration. 5. The antihypertensive efficacy of FPL 63547 was also observed following chronic oral administration. A dose of 0.5 mg kg-1 day-1 once daily for 23 days produced a sustained reduction of SBP. By the end of the treatment period, SBP was significantly lowered both pre- and post-dose, i.e. effective 24 h control had been achieved. 6. The profile of FPL 63547 is consistent with it being a potent, selective and long-acting ACE inhibitor. As an antihypertensive agent in SHR it compared favourably with other members of this class with respect to potency and duration of action.