Role of prostaglandins in the mediation of systemic tachyphylaxis to angiotensin II.

Angiotensin-induced prostaglandin release has been implicated in the deveolpment of tachyphylaxis to angiotensin in vitro. Based on these findings and evidence that prostaglandins modulate the angiotensin reposne locally, experiments were done to investigate the role of prostaglandins in the systemic tachyphylaxis to angiotensin. Rats were given intravenous infusions of 1-asparaginyl-5-valyl and 1-aspartyl-5-isoleucyl andiotensin II at two different doses. Using systemic blood pressure as a parameter, varying degrees of tachyphylaxis were produced and the aspartyl analog was found to be more tachyphylactic. When rats were given indomethacin, a prostaglading synthesis inhibitors, the response to intravenous infusion of aspartyl angiotensin was not significantly altered.