We studied the functional role of angiotensin II (AII) receptor subtypes and vasodilatory endothelial autacoid release in response to AII in isolated perfused rabbit hearts. AII infusion induced biphasic changes in coronary perfusion pressure (CPP): an initial increase was followed by a decrease until a plateau was reached. At higher concentrations of AII (≥10 nmol/l) this plateau phase was lower than the initial CPP level. AII infusion elicited inverse changes in peak left ventricular pressure (LVP): coronary constriction was associated with a transient decline, and during the plateau phase LVP was clearly increased. AII also moderately augmented prostacyclin (PGI₂) release from the coronary vascular bed. The AII-induced changes in CPP, LVP, and PGI₂ release were effectively inhibited by the AT₁ receptor subtype antagonist ICI D8731 (30 nmol/l), but not by the AT₂ receptor antagonist CGP 42112 (30 nmol/l). The adenosine A₁ receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (0.1 μmol/l) attenuated the decline in CPP following the constriction phase without affecting the changes in LVP during AII infusion. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac (1 mmol/l) had no effect on the AII-induced changes in CPP, whereas the nitric oxide-synthase inhibitor N^G-nitro-L-arginine (30 μmol/l) markedly potentiated the vasoconstriction but was without effect on the plateau phase of the response. In contrast to AII, the thromboxane analogue U46619 elicited sustained increases in CPP which were associated with slight decreases in LVP.

In conclusion, AII induced a biphasic pressor response in the rabbit coronary vascular bed consisting of a transient vasoconstriction followed by a dilatation especially at higher concentrations of AII, an effect which was independent of the endothelial autacoids nitric oxide and PGI₂. The AII-induced dilatation probably reflected rapid desensitization of the coronary arterial smooth muscle to the constrictor effect, and the concomitant accumulation of vasodilatory metabolites such as adenosine, generated during the positive inotropic action of AII. All the effects of AII in the rabbit heart appeared to be mediated via the AT, receptor subtype localized on coronary endothelial and smooth muscle cells, as well as on cardiomyocytes.