Angiotensin-(1-7) blocks the angiotensin II-stimulated superoxide production

Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7), a bioactive compound of the renin-angiotensin system, exerts effects leading to blood pressure reduction which counterbalance Ang II pressor actions. The present study was conducted to examine Ang-(1-7) and Ang II effects on superoxide anion production in rat aorta using the lucigenin chemiluminescence method. Ang II dose-dependently increased superoxide anion formation when compared to control levels; a maximal increase (2.5-fold) was observed with 1 x 10(-10)M peptide concentration. The Ang II-stimulated superoxide formation was blocked by 1 x 10(-10)M losartan, the specific AT(1) receptor antagonist, but not by 1 x 10(-10)M PD 123319, the AT(2) receptor antagonist, suggesting that the increased superoxide levels caused by Ang II are mediated through AT(1) receptors activation. The Ang II-stimulated superoxide production was not modified by 2 x 10(-8)M allopurinol or 1 x 10(-7)M indomethacin, but was completely abolished by NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors: 1 x 10(-8)M diphenylene iodonium, or 2 x 10(-8)M apocynin, demonstrating that NAD(P)H oxidase participates in such response. In contrast to Ang II, Ang-(1-7) concentrations ranging 1 x 10(-12) to 1 x 10(-6)M did not modify superoxide anion levels, but prevented the Ang II-enhanced superoxide production. In conclusion, we demonstrated that Ang-(1-7) blocks the pro-oxidant effects of Ang II, thus reducing the superoxide anion production and delaying the hypertension development.