Rat epididymal fat tissue express all components of the renin-angiotensin system.

In the present study the gene expression of components of the renin-angiotensin system was investigated in fat tissue of rats. mRNAs for angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme and type I (AT1) angiotensin II receptor were detected in the stromal-vascular fraction of the fat tissue and the same mRNAs, with the exception of the angiotesin-converting enzyme, in the adipocyte fraction. Renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity was measured. The main source of renin activity was found in adipocytes and some minor activity in the stromal-vascular fraction, while the majority of the angiotensin-converting enzyme activity was in the stromal-vascular fraction. The present data provide evidence for the presence of the active renin-angiotensin system in rat adipose tissue.