ACE-versus chymase-dependent angiotensin II generation in human coronary arteries: a matter of efficiency?
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate ACE- and chymase-dependent angiotensin I-to-II conversion in human coronary arteries (HCAs).


RESULTS
HCA rings were mounted in organ baths, and concentration-response curves to angiotensin II, angiotensin I, and the chymase-specific substrate Pro(11)-D-Ala(12)-angiotensin I (PA-angiotensin I) were constructed. All angiotensins displayed similar efficacy. For a given vasoconstriction, bath (but not interstitial) angiotensin II during angiotensin I and PA-angiotensin I was lower than during angiotensin II, indicating that interstitial (and not bath) angiotensin II determines vasoconstriction. PA-angiotensin I increased interstitial angiotensin II less efficiently than angiotensin I. Separate inhibition of ACE (with captopril) and chymase (with C41 or chymostatin) shifted the angiotensin I concentration-response curve approximately 5-fold to the right, whereas a 10-fold shift occurred during combined ACE and chymase inhibition. Chymostatin, but not captopril and/or C41, reduced bath angiotensin II and abolished PA-Ang I-induced vasoconstriction. Perfused HCA segments, exposed luminally or adventitially to angiotensin I, released angiotensin II into the luminal and adventitial fluid, respectively, and this release was blocked by chymostatin.


CONCLUSIONS
Both ACE and chymase contribute to the generation of functionally active angiotensin II in HCAs. However, because angiotensin II loss in the organ bath is chymase-dependent, ACE-mediated conversion occurs more efficiently (ie, closer to AT(1) receptors) than chymase-mediated conversion.
Tom
Beril
B
Department of Pharmacology, Thoracic Surgery and Heart Valve Bank, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Garrelds
Ingrid M
IM
Scalbert
Elizabeth
E
Stegmann
Alexander P A
AP
Boomsma
Frans
F
Saxena
Pramod R
PR
Danser
A H Jan
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000803:Angiotensin I / Q000378:metabolism; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D002216:Captopril / Q000494:pharmacology; D053818:Chymases; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism*; D010477:Perfusion; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D013379:Substrate Specificity / Q000187:drug effects; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; C051865:Krebs-Ringer solution; D009842:Oligopeptides; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D000804:Angiotensin II; D000803:Angiotensin I; C002101:chymostatin; D002216:Captopril; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053818:Chymases