Pregnancy Enhances the Angiotensin (Ang)-(1–7) Vasodilator Response in Mesenteric Arteries and Increases the Renal Concentration and Urinary Excretion of Ang-(1–7)

The vasoactive effect of angiotensin (Ang)-(1–7) in mesenteric resistance arteries together with its plasma and kidney concentration and urinary excretion was assessed in pregnant and virgin rats. Mesenteric arteries (230–290 μm) were mounted in a pressurized myograph system and Ang-(1–7) concentration-dependent response curves (10−10–10−5 m) were determined in arteries preconstricted with endothelin-1 (10−7 m). The Ang-(1–7) response was investigated in vessels with and without pretreatment with the Ang-(1–7) antagonist [d-[Ala7]-Ang-(1–7)] (10−7 m). Ang-(1–7) caused a significantly enhanced, concentration-dependent dilation of mesenteric vessels (EC50 = 2.7 nm) from pregnant compared with virgin female rats. d-[Ala7]-Ang-(1–7) eliminated the vasodilator effect of Ang-(1–7). There was no significant change in plasma concentration of Ang-(1–7) in pregnant animals. On the other hand, 24 h urinary excretion and kidney concentration of Ang-(1–7) were significantly higher in pregnant animals. The increased mesenteric dilation to Ang-(1–7) with enhanced kidney concentration and 24 h urinary excretion rate of Ang-(1–7) suggests an important role for this peptide in cardiovascular regulation during pregnancy.