Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in retinas of streptozotocin-induced and Zucker diabetic rats. The effect of angiotensin II on Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity.

Abstract

The authors suggest that systemic ACE probably is not involved in the mechanisms responsible for the reduced activity of Na,K-ATPase in diabetes. Although AngII inhibits retinal Na,K-ATPase by a mechanism possibly involving arachidonic acid metabolites, it is unlikely that AngII contributes to the decreased Na,K-ATPase activity because of its reduced formation by retinal ACE in diabetes. The possible importance of reduced retinal ACE activity in diabetes warrants further investigation.