Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences (Mar 2009)
Effect of Angiotensin II on Blood Flow in Acute and Chronically Inflamed Knee Joints of Rabbits: The Role of Nitric Oxide
Abstract
Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) upregulationin stromal cells of joints affected by rheumatoid arthritismay lead to higher tissue angiotensin II that is a vasoconstrictorand mitogen factor. To date, the role of angiotensin II onregulating blood flow in inflamed joints has not been studied.Methods: Acute and chronic joint inflammation was inducedin rabbits by intra-articular injection of carrageenan and antigen-induced arthritis method, respectively. The ACE level ofsynovial fluid and the response of joint blood flow to angiotensinII, angiotensin II receptor antagonist, and the role ofnitric oxide (NO) in modulation of the effects of angiotensin IIon joint blood vessels were examined.Results: The synovial fluid level of ACE was significantly increasedduring the process of inflammation and angiotensin IIincreased joint vascular resistance dose-dependently in both acuteand chronically inflamed joints. The angiotensin 1 receptor antagonistlosartan completely blocked the vasoconstrictor effect ofangiotensin II on joint blood vessels and induced vasodilatation.Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-omega -nitro L- argininemethyl ester (L-NAME) increased joint vascular resistance andaugmented vascular response of inflamed joints to angiotensin II.Conclusion: Angiotensin II receptors in joint blood vesselsare angiotensin -1 subtype, and inflammation significantlyincreases the activity of synovial fluid ACE. Nitric oxide playsa significant role on regulating joint blood flow and in modulationof angiotensin 1 receptor-mediated vasoconstriction ofinflamed joint blood vessels.
