The brain angiotensin system: subcellular localization and interferences with converting enzyme inhibitors.

Renin is stored in synaptosomes of rat brain, separately from cathepsin D and intraneuronal angiotensin II (ANG II) has been demonstrated with the electron-microscope. Although the subcellular localization of other components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) have still to be investigated, these data suggest possible intracellular synthesis of ANG II in the brain. Brain ANG II is biochemically identical to the plasma peptide and corresponds to (IIe) 5-ANG II. The peptide level is unchanged after bilateral nephrectomy, and angiotensin I (ANG I) accumulation is observed in nephrectomized animals following brain angiotensin converting enzyme blockade. The significantly greater accumulation of ANG I and reduction of ANG II in stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) indicates a higher synthesis and turnover rate of ANG II in SHR. Most converting enzyme inhibitors (CEI) penetrate the brain after chronic oral treatment. Part of their blood pressure lowering action may therefore be explained by an inhibition of the brain RAS.