Demonstration of a primary antidiuretic action of angiotensin II: effects of intrarenal converting enzyme inhibition in the conscious dog.

This study was designed to determine whether angiotensin II of renal origin physiologically mediates free water production by the kidney. The effect of renal arterial infusion of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, teprotide, on renal function was studied under conditions of hydropenia and hydration in uninephrectomized conscious dogs after 5 days of equilibration on a normal or low sodium diet. In low sodium animals, intrarenal infusion of teprotide (0.25 microgram/kg.min) after 12 h of water restriction elicited marked increases in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and free water formation. After 24 h of water restriction, vasopressin (10 microU/min) was infused iv to achieve an effective maximal urine concentration. Under these conditions, the inhibitor again increased the GFR and free water formation. After the production of a state of stable hydration, intrarenal infusion of teprotide also increased the GFR and free water formation. In the normal sodium animals, intrarenal infusion of the converting enzyme inhibitor (2.5 microgram/kg.min) in 12-h hydropenic dogs failed to change the GFR but increased free water formation, while the inhibitor decreased effective renal plasma flow and free water formation in normal sodium, hydrated animals. These data suggest that angiotensin II of renal origin plays an important role in the control of free water production by the kidney.