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Vasoactive Peptides and Hypertension: Role of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Author(s) -
Johnston C. I.,
Iansek R.,
Millari J. A.,
McGrath B. P.,
Matthews P. G.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1981.tb03563.x
Subject(s) - bradykinin , captopril , renin–angiotensin system , medicine , angiotensin ii , renovascular hypertension , blood pressure , endocrinology , angiotensin converting enzyme , vasodilation , plasma renin activity , pathophysiology of hypertension , essential hypertension , pharmacology , receptor
Angiotensin converting enzyme plays a key role in the hormonal regulation of blood pressure. It is responsible for the production of the vasconstrictor hormonal peptide angiotensin II as well as the destruction of the vasodilator peptide bradykinin. Recently, orally active specific inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme have become available. Captopril (SQ14225) blocks angiotensin I and potentiates bradykinin effects in vitro and in vivo. In man it leads to a fall in endogenous plasma angiotensin II , a rise in blood angiotensin I and renin, but no change in blood bradykinin can be detected . In sodium deplete normal subjects it lowers the blood pressure, but in sodium replete subjects it is without effect. Similarly, it will acutely lower blood pressure in renovascular and accelerated hypertension but not in essential hypertension. The acute hypotensive effect of captopril may therefore be due to inhibition of the renin‐angiotensin system . However, in the long term, it is effective in lowering the blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension, especially when combined with a diuretic. This suggests that the long‐term hypotensive effect differs from the short term effect, and involves mechanisms other than inhibition of the renin‐angiotensin