Objective:
Aminopeptidase A (APA) have important role in conversion of Ang II to Ang III. Intravenous APA administration lowers blood pressure in hypertensive rats. In contrast, APA inhibition in the brain lowers blood pressure in hypertensive rats. Therefore APA might have different role on cardiovascular regulation. However, a role of APA and Ang III on cardiovascular regulation especially in the brain has not been fully understood. Our purpose of present study was to investigate a role of APA and Ang III in the brain on cardiovascular regulation in conscious state.
Method:
12-13 weeks old Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY) and 12-16 weeks old spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) were used. i) APA distribution in the brain was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Protein expression of APA was evaluated by Western blotting. Enzymatic activity of APA was evaluated using L-glutamic acid γ-(4-nitroanilide) as a substrate. ii) WKY received icv administration of Ang II 25ng/2μL and Ang III 25ng/2μL. We recorded change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in conscious and unrestraied state and measured induced drinking time. iii) SHR received icv administeration of recombinant APA 400ng/4μL. We recorded change in MAP in conscious and unrestraied state and measured induced drinking time.
Result:
i) APA was diffusely immunostained in the cells of brain stem including cardiovascular regulatory area such as rostral ventrolateral medulla. Protein expression and APA activity in the brain were similar between WKY (n=3) and SHR (n=3).ii) Icv administration of Ang II increased MAP by 33.8±3.8 mmHg and induced drinking behavior for 405±90 seconds (n=4). Icv administration of Ang III also increased MAP by 24.7±2.4 mmHg and induced drinking behavior for 258±62 seconds (n=3). These vasopressor activity and induced drinking behavior was completely blocked by pretretment of angiotensin receptor type 1 blocker.iii) Icv administration of APA increased MAP by 10.0±1.7 mmHg (n=3).
Conclusion:
These results suggested that Ang III in the brain increase blood pressure by Angiotensin type 1 receptor dependent mechanism and APA in the brain may involved in blood pressure regulation as a vasopressor enzyme.