Abstract
The effect of captopril on the lung angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was investigated after 3 weeks oral administration (120~160 mg/kg/day) through drinking water in SpragueDawley rats. On the $^{125}$I-351A, an ACE inhibitor, binding assay in the isolated perpused lungs, the number of ACE molecules at the intrapulmonary endothelial cell surface was significantly decreased (p<0.001), and recovered to the normal level 7 days after discontinuation of captopril treatment. Intrapulmonary conversion ratio of Al to All was also significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the isolated perpused lungs. Bolus intravenous injection of angiotensin I did not showed pressor response in the both of systemic and pulmonary blood pressure of the anesthetized rats. ACE activity of the lung homogenates was also significantly reduced. These data consistently indicate the decrease of functionally active ACE molecule at the pulmonary artery after chronic captopril treatment. However, serum ACE activity was increased three fold in captopril treated rats compared to the normal rats. So, these results suggest that the functionally active ACE molecule at the pulmonary artery was still inhibited, which is directly associated with the antihypertensive effects, even if the total angiotensn converting enzyme induction was resulted after chronic captopril treatment.