A naturally occurring renin inhibitor.

Abstract

A renin inhibitor was formed by the incubation of recently isolated phosphatidyl amino acid with plasma or with phospholipase A of snake venom. Hydrolysis of this inhibitor or its phospholipid precursor with phospholipase B C or D destroys inhibitory action and demonstrates that none of the single components of this lysophospholipid possesses renin inhibitory action. In order to possess activity the precursor phospholipid must contain an unsaturated fatty acid and a hydroxyamino acid. Daily intramuscular injections of this substance resulted in reduced pressure of renal hypertensive rats. There was no observable effect on normotensive animals.