R-PEP-27, A POTENT RENIN INHIBITOR, DECREASES PLASMA ANGIOTENSIN-II AND BLOOD-PRESSURE IN NORMAL VOLUNTEERS

The hemodynamic and humoral effects of the specific human renin inhibi tor R-PEP-27 were studied in six normal human subjects on low and high sodium intake diets. An intravenous infusion of R-PEP-27 (0.5 to 16 ( mu g/min/kg body wt) reduced blood pressure in a dose-dependent fashio n; the mean arterial blood pressure at the end of the infusion fell fr om 128 +/- 4/83 +/- 4 to 119 +/- 3/71 +/- 3 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) (P < .01) during the low sodium intake diet. R-PEP-27 had no effect on bloo d pressure during the high sodium intake diet. R-PEP-27 significantly reduced plasma angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations. The temp oral response to R-PEP-27 suggests that it is a short-lived although h ighly potent competitive inhibitor of renin; this peptide is a valuabl e and specific physiologic probe of the renin-angiotensin system.