[Effect of captopril and reserpine on the activity of certain neuropeptide metabolism enzymes].

Chronic consumption of the highly specific angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril was found to decrease the activity of the enzyme in the rat hypothalamus and striatum and to enhance it in the pituitary and blood serum. The agent also increased the activity of carboxypeptidase N in the serum and that of carboxypeptidase H in the pituitary. Reserpine, a catecholaminergic blocking agent, reduces the pituitary and serum activities of angiotensin-converting enzyme and activates soluble carboxypeptidase H in the pituitary and striatum and membrane-bound carboxypeptidase in the hypothalamus and striatum. Possible mechanisms of action of captopril and reserpine on the activity of the enzymes in question, as well as a contribution of these enzymes to their antihypertensive effect are discussed in the paper.