[Influence of angiotensin I on angiogenesis in vitro in the rat]

The regulation of angiogenesis involves complex interactions. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of angiotensin II (ANG II) on different vascular beds in rat. Aortic, renal and mesenteric rings from 10 male Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured using a three-dimensional culture system consisting of rat type I collagen lattice. We assessed the influence of different ANG II concentrations (10(-7) et 10(-9) mol/L) on these rings as well as the effect of AT1 blockade by losartan (10(-7 mol/L). ANG II inhibited angiogenesis at 10(-7) mol/L on renal artery. However, these was a angiogenic effect at 10(-9) mol/L on the mesenteric artery. Every time losartan prevented the effect of ANG II in any kind of vessel rings. No significant effect on ANG II was found on aortic rings but coadministration of losartan induced a dramatic decrease in the number of capillary sprouts. In conclusion, ANG II seems to be deeply involved in angiogenesis. However, its effect depends on the concentration of ANG II and the type of vessel. ANG II appears to be angiogenic on mesenteric arteries via an AT1 receptor effect and mostly anti-angiogenic on the renal arteries with possible involvement of AT2 receptors.