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Med. Pr. 2002;53(2)

The effect of angiotensin converting enzyme in vascular mesenteric bed of rats poisoned with lead and cadmium

Działanie enzymu konwertującego angiotensynę i (ACE) w naczyniach krezkowych szczurów zatruwanych ołowiem i kadmem

J. Wróbel, A. Skoczyńska

Abstract

Heavy metals can increase the arterial blood pressure by influencing the endothelial renin-angiotensin system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of single and combined exposure to lead and cadmium at hypertensive doses on the tissue renin-angiotensin system in rats. An attempt was made to assay the induced synthesis of angiotensin II (AII) in the isolated mesenteric rat bed,as well as the reactivity of vessels to AII and norepinephrine used before and after infusion of angiotensin receptor blocker.
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), used in infusion,induced slight increase in perfusion pressure only in mesenteric vessels of cadmium poisoned rats. In this group, AII given during ACE infusion induced slightly stronger vasoconstriction than in other groups of rats, and losartan, used in infusion totally eliminated the pressor effect of AII. Therefore, the share of endothelial renin-angiotensin system in the regulation of vessel resistance was greater than in mesenteric bed of lead-poisoned rats or controls. It is likely that the effect of ACE inhibitors and blockers of the AII receptors may be slightly stronger in persons with arterial hypertension exposed to cadmium than in non-exposed patients.

Key words

lead, cadmium, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), rats