Effect of angiotensin on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in isolated dog lung

The effects of infused angiotensin on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in blood-perfused isolated dog lungs were studied. By using a double-perfusion system we were able to perfuse the right and left lungs separately in the same animal; one lung was used as control and the other lung was experimentally modified. The vasoconstrictive response to hypoxia decreased with time in the isolated lung preparations. The infusion of either angiotensin I or angiotensin II (1.2-5.8 mug/min) caused a threefold increase in the vasoconstrictive response to hypoxia over control levels. A second hypoxic period during the infusion usually yielded a diminished response, suggesting further degeneration of the response irreversible with angiotensin. It was concluded that angiotensin I or angiotensin II temporarily enhances hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in isolated dog lungs.