Uptake of 14C-angiotensin by canine cutaneous blood vessels

The uptake of 14C-angiotensin was studied in canine cutaneous blood vessels in vitro. T/M ratios of 14C were 0.4, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.5 after 7.5, 15, 30 and 60 min of incubation, respectively. The T/M of 14C-sorbitol, an extracellular marker, was 0.4. No difference in the T/M ratios of C14 was found between normal and chronically denervated vessels incubated with 14C-angiotensin; however, the uptake of 3H-norepinephrine was markedly decreased in the denervated preparation. The 14C taken up by the vessels after 30 min of incubation appeared to comprise both intact angiotensin and metabolites. These results suggest that a small quantity of intact angiotensin may be bound by vascular tissue, but is not concentrated in adrenergic nerve endings.