Direct release of angiotensins I and II from isolated rat kidney perfused with angiotensinogen-free medium

A direct measurement of both angiotensins I and II immunoreactive substances was made in the perfusate from isolated rat kidney perfused with Krebs-Ringer solution which was free of any component of the renin-angiotensin system. The identity of the immunoreactive peptides was confirmed as angiotensin I and angiotensin II by high-pressure liquid chromatography in reference to standard compounds. The rate of release of angiotensins was as high as 1313.5 +/- 184.5 and 772.4 +/- 82.5 pg for angiotensins I and II, respectively, during the first perfusion period of 20 min, and it remained stable at least for 2 hours. There was a good relationship between the angiotensin I secretion rate and renin secretion rate simultaneously determined in the perfusate, and also between the angiotensin I secretion rate and angiotensin II secretion rate. These results taken together with the previous observations of the coexistence of renin and angiotensins I and II in juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney provide evidence for intrarenal formation and release of angiotensin II. It does not agree with the notion that these peptides are internalized from circulation. Angiotensin II secreted from the kidney may play diverse functions in intrarenal regulation.