Glucocorticoid induction of angiotensin converting enzyme

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) converts angiotensin I (Angio I) to angiotensin II (Angio II) and inactivates bradykinin (BK). Glucocorticoids in the physiological range increase ACE in rabbit alveolar macrophages and bovine endothelial cells in culture. Since Angio I and BK are cleaved by ACE catalysis during passage through the pulmonary vasculature we have studied the steroid modulation of ACE in the rat lung. The conversion of Angio I to Angio II by isolated lungs from normal or adrenalectomized male Wistar rats has been evaluated. The initial conversion of Angio I to Angio II in lungs from normal rats was about 60%. In contrast the initial converting activity in lungs from adrenalectomized rats was about 30%. In both groups the converting activity progressively decreased. After 3 h it was about 30% in normal lungs and virtually undetectable in lungs from adrenalectomized rats. Dexamethasone infusion (1 microgram/ml) prevented the decrease in ACE activity observed in normal lungs and induced a gradual enhancement of converting activity in lungs from adrenalectomized animals up to the control level. The effect of dexamethasone was abolished by simultaneous infusion of cycloheximide (1 microgram/ml). These results demonstrate that glucocorticoids induce ACE synthesis in the rat lung. By this induction glucocorticoids promote the increase of both Angio II formation and BK degradation. Thus ACE induction may represent a possible mechanism whereby glucocorticoids might control vascular tone and permeability according to the general mode of action of steroid hormones.