[Effect of endothelin on the release of angiotensin II from rat cardiovascular system]

The existence of angiotensin II immunoreactive substance in rat cardiovascular system was demonstrated by RIA and immunohistochemistry techniques. In atrium, aorta and cultured rat aorta smooth muscle cells, angiotensin II content is 7.2 + 2.7 pg/mg protein, 152.4 + 59.2 pg/mg protein and 3.5 + 0.8 pg/2 x 10(5) cells respectively. Endothelin, a potent vasoconstricting polypeptide, can enhance the release of angiotensin II from cultured rat aorta and aortic smooth muscle cells significantly. The results suggest that endothelin may be involved in the regulation of local blood flow and vascular tone, and it may also implicate the pathogenesis of some cardiovascular diseases such as cardiohypertrophy and vascular hypertrophy.