Rat epididymal fat tissue express all components of the renin-angiotensin system

In the present study the gene expression of components of the reninangioten sin system was investigated in fat tissue of rats. mRNAs for angiotensinoge n, renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme and type I (AT(1)) angiotensin II r eceptor were detected in the stromal-vascular fraction of the fat tissue an d the same mRNAs, with the exception of the angiotesin-converting enzyme, i n the adipocyte fraction. Renin and angiotensin-converting; enzyme activity was measured. The main source of renin activity was found in adipocytes an d some minor activity in the stromal-vascular fraction, while the majority of the angiotensin-converting enzyme activity was in the stromal-vascular f raction. The present data provide evidence for the presence of the active r enin-angiotensin system in rat adipose tissue.