Effect of inhibition of converting enzyme on inactive renin in the circulation of salt-replete and salt-deplete normal subjects.

Angiotensin II exerts an inhibitory influence on active renin release from the kidney. To assess a possible role for angiotensin II in the release of inactive renin, levels in the circulation were measured before and at regular intervals after the administration of captopril, an orally active inhibitor of angiotensin I-coverting enzyme, to 12 salt-replete and six salt-deplete normal subjects. Concurrent measurements of active renin, angiotensin I and angiotensin II were also performed. Basal inactive renin in the salt-deplete group was increased compared with the salt-replete subjects, but inactive renin remained constant in both groups after treatment with captopril. There were significant increases in concentrations of both active renin and angiotensin I after treatment with captopril in all subject and corresponding decreases in angiotensin II. These results suggested that angiotensin II does not influence the release of inactive renin, in contrast with its role in the release of active renin.