Selective increase of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in discrete extrahypothalamic areas of Brattleboro rats

We studied the activity of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II, E.C. 3.4.15.1) in discrete areas of the brainstem and limbic system, and in circumventricular organs, pineal gland and choroid plexus of homozygous Brattleboro rats (DI) which are characterized by vasopressin deficiency and diabetes insipidus, with or without vasopressin replacement. We also determined ACE activity in heterozygous Brattleboro (HZ) and Long-Evans (LE) control rats. We found changes in ACE activity in several brain areas and the pineal gland of Brattleboro rats. ACE activity was increased in DI rats with respect to HZ and LE controls in the A1 area of the brainstem, locus coeruleus, and triangular nucleus of the septum. ACE activity in the A2 area of the brainstem, the nucleus tractus spinalis nervi trigeminii and the pineal gland was enhanced in both HZ and DI rats with respect to that of LE controls, but was not different between HZ and DI rats. ACE activity did not change in the other extrahypothalamic areas studied. The elevated ACE activity in extrahypothalamic areas of DI rats was not reversed by vasopressin replacement. These results suggest that a relationship between central vasopressin and angiotensin or bradykinin systems may exist in selective extrahypothalamic areas of the rat brain, and that peripherally administered vasopressin cannot influence this relationship.