Blood, 1967, Vol. 29, No. 5, pp. 754-760.
© 1967 American Society of Hematology, Inc.
Studies on Erythropoietic Action of Angiotensin II
KIKU NAKAO 1,
TAKUO SHIRAKURA 1,
MASAMI AZUMA 1, and
TADASHI MAEKAWA 1
1 Second Department of Internal Medicine, Gunma University School of
Medicine, Showamachi, Maebashi, Japan.
The effects of synthetic Angiotensin II on erythropoiesis were investigated.
1. Two daily intravenous injections of Angiotensin II, 100 µg./Kg. of body
weight, revealed no acceleration of Fe59 incorporation into erythrocytes of
either normal rabbits or hypophysectomized rats.
2. When given by intravenous drip, 100 µg./Kg. of Angiotensin II significantly accelerated the radioiron incorporation.
3. The renal blood flow was markedly reduced throughout the period of
the dropwise injection; the same effect was transitory after single intravenous
injection. The elevation of plasma erythropoietin activity was observed in
hypertransfused polycythemic rabbits following the dropwise injection of
Angiotensin II.
From these results, it is concluded that erythropoietic activity of Angiotensin
II results from an increased erythropoietin production. The increased production may have been induced by a renal ischemia through administration of
Angiotensin II.
Submitted on February 23, 1966
Accepted on January 13, 1967
