Inhibition of the pressor and aldosterone-releasing effects of angiotensin II.

1. Competitive or non-competitive inhibition of the myotropic and pressor response of angiotensin II is dependent on the nature of the substituent in position 8 of the antagonist peptide analogue. Substituents in other positions of the molecule, particularly position 1, contribute greatly to the potency of these antagonists. 2. As is evidenced after adrenalectomy or after blockade with phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine, the initial pressor activity observed with all the antagonistic peptides is partially due to the release of catecholamines and partially to a direct myotropic effect. 3. [Sar1, Thr8]angiotensin II has been found to possess the lowest agonist to antagonist ratio of all antagonists tested. 4. [Des-Asp1, Ile8]angiotensin II selectively and specifically inhibits the release of aldosterone from adrenal cortex. Thus, unlike angiotensin II, this heptapeptide has pronounced organ specificity, suggesting that the heptapeptide (angiotensin III) is the aldosterone-releasing hormone.