Local generation and action of angiotensin II in dog iris sphincter muscle

Existence of the renin-angiotensin system was pharmacologically investigated in the dog isolated iris sphincter muscle. The sphincter muscle contracted in response to tetradecapeptide, a synthetic renin substrate, angiotensin (ANG) I and ANG II dose-dependently. The contractions induced by these peptides were suppressed by treatment with saralasin, indomethacin and aspirin. Contractile responses to tetradecapeptide and ANG I were also reduced by KRI-1314, a renin inhibitor, and captopril, respectively. ANG II stimulated the release of prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha from the sphincter muscle. Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity was measurable in the sphincter muscle. Miosis was observed by intracameral injection of ANG I and ANG II into the anterior chamber. These results strongly suggest that angiotensin generating enzymes function in the sphincter muscle and ANG II produced by these enzymes contracts the sphincter muscle via the formation of PG (s), possibly PG F2 alpha.