Metabolism of 20beta-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in uterine tissue of non-pregnant rats in vitro

The metabolism of labelled progesterone was studied in vitro in uterine tissue of non-pregnant rats with particular emphasis on the influence of substrate concentration. Neither a qualitative nor quantitative difference was found for a steroid tissue ratio between 15 X 10(-6) and 4.2 X 10(-9) to 1 g (substrate amounts between 57.73 and 0.02 nmol); with both concentrations 42 to 44 per cent of progesterone was metabolized to about 35 per cent monohydroxymonoketonic steroids and 4-6 per cent dihydroxylated C21O2-compounds. In both sets of incubations we have isolated and identified the following steroids: 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one, 3beta-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one, 3alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one, 20alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 5alpha-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha-diol and 4-pregnene-3alpha,20alpha-diol. The most abundant metabolite formed in these incubations was 3alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one which corresponds to about 30 per cent of the total activity recovered. It is the first time that the presence of 20alpha-hydroxysteroid-oxidoreductase activity is definitely established in this type of tissue. The identification of three allylic alcohols as progesterone metabolites in the rat uterus confirms that delta4-3-hydroxysteroids are important intermediates in the in vitro uterine metabolism of steroids.     

Derivatization of progesterone to a neurally active steroid by pituitary neurointermediate lobe

The melanotrophs of the neurointermediate lobe and peptidergic terminals of the neural lobe are regulated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) via GABA-A receptors and therefore, may be important sites for the modulatory actions of neurally active steroids. These steroid compounds might be produced peripherally, synthesized de novo in the pituitary, or derivatized from circulating steroids, each pathway having different physiological implications. In the present study, we show that neurointermediate lobe tissue can derivatize progesterone to the neurally active steroid 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one. The neurointermediate lobe was found to be four times as active as anterior pituitary and mediobasal hypothalamus in conversion of progesterone to 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one; mediobasal hypothalamus was relatively more active in the production of the intermediate 5 alpha-pregnan-3,20-dione. The identity of the compounds was confirmed by the method of serial isotopic dilution. We observed rates of synthesis in the neurointermediate lobe consistent with the production of physiologically relevant quantities of 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one from concentrations of progesterone which can occur naturally. In support of these findings, we demonstrate the presence of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase in neurointermediate lobe by immunocytochemistry.     

Intestinal metabolism of estrogens

Estrogen metabolism in the human intestine was studied in two ways. Firstly, by measuring the excretion of 12 estrogens in pooled human late pregnancy feces before and during the administration of ampicillin (2 g/day). Secondly, by administering 5.4 and 20 mg of 16alpha-hydroxyestrone orally to two postmenopausal women and analyzing the estrogens in simultaneously drawn portal and peripheral venous blood samples at time intervals from 0 to 150 min after steroid administration. The majority of the estrogens in normal pregnancy feces were unconjugated. The amounts of estradiol, estreon and 16-epiestriol excreted, relative to the principal estrogen estriol, were greater than in pregnancy bile or urine and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone, an important biliary estrogen, was only present in trace amounts. Considerable quantities of 15alpha-hydroxyestradiol-17beta were also found. Ampicillin administration, which decreases intestinal bacterial steroid metabolism, caused a huge increase in the fecal excretion of conjugated estrogens. In particular it caused very striking increases in the excretion of both unconjugated and conjugated, estriol, 15alpha-hydroxyestrone, 15alpha-hydroxyestradiol and 2-methoxyestrone. These findings emphasize the active role played by the intestinal microflora in estrogen metabolism under normal conditions. Administration of 16alpha-hydroxyestrone resulted in increases in portal venous unconjugated and conjugated 16alpha-hydroxyestrone, 16-oxoestradiol-17beta, 15alpha-hydroxyestrone, 16-epiestriol and conjugated estriol levels. The most significant finding in both subjects was the large increase in portal venous unconjugated 15alpha-hydroxyestrone. This would suggest that the human intestine (or intestinal contents) has the ability to carry out the transformation, 16alpha-hydroxyestrone leads to 15alpha-hydroxyestrone. Increases in the same estrogens were found in peripheral plasma, with the increase in conjugated estriol occurring in peripheral blood before it was seen in portal blood. The largest elevations in peripheral plasma values were seen in unconjugated estriol and conjugated 16alpha-hydroxyestrone in the subject who received the 20 mg dose and in unconjugated 16alpha-hydroxyestrone and 16-oxoestradiol-17beta in the subject who had the 5.4 mg dose. The intestinal and enterohepatic metabolism of estrogens is discussed in relation to these findings.     

11Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in progesterone biotransformation by the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus lunatus

Progesterone biotransformation was examined in relation to hydroxylating and dehydrogenating enzymes of Cochliobolus lunatus. 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (11beta-HSD) was located in cytosolic fraction and was NADP-dependent, inducible by progesterone and apparently uni-directional. Several inhibitors of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were tested; furosemide, glycyrrhizic-acid and carbenoxolone did not influence the dehydrogenation of 11beta-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione to 4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione, although grapefruit juice significantly reduced the rate of progesterone hydroxylation.     

New diterpenoids, isodoternifolins A and B, from Isodon ternifolius

Two new diterpenoids, named isodoternifolin A and B, together with seven known compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of dried stems and leaves of Isodon ternifolius (D. Don) Kudo. Their structures were determined as 7 beta-hydroxy-6 beta, 11 alpha, 15 beta-triacetoxy-7 alpha, 20-epoxyentkaur-16-ene (1) and 6 beta, 7 beta, 15 beta-trihydroxy-11 alpha-acetoxy-7 alpha, 20-epoxy-entkaur-16-ene (2) by chemical and spectral evidence.     

Determination of C-21 ketosteroids in serum using trifluoromethanesulfonic acid catalyzed precolumn dansylation and 1,1'-oxalyldiimidazole postcolumn peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection

A new procedure for the quantitation of C-21 ketosteroids using trifluoromethanesulfonic acid-catalyzed precolumn dansylation and coupled column liquid chromatographic separation, followed by postcolumn 1,1'-oxalyldiimidazole peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection is presented. In the simultaneous optimization of chromatographic resolution and chemiluminescence intensity, a coupled column chromatographic system and a stopped-flow system were used. An eluent containing 20 mM phosphate buffer at pH 6.7 accomplished an efficient separation of 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one from a mixture containing 10 C-21 ketosteroids. Phosphate buffer also proved to be the most advantageous, among the six buffers tested, for sensitive detection. Experimental design and multivariate data analysis were used to characterize and optimize the postcolumn reaction chemistry in the chromatographic system. A valid full factorial design with excellent predictability showed that the flow rates for both 1,1'-oxalyldiimidazole and hydrogen peroxide were the factors most strongly affecting the sensitivity of the system. The theoretical plate numbers were above 11,000 for all 10 dansylated ketosteroids. The 3 sigma detection limit estimated from 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one calibration curve data was 1.6 pmol (n = 4, 125 microL injected) and spiked serum containing 0-74 pmol of this compound showed overall recoveries of 73 +/- 9% (n = 12). Quantitation of 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one was finally carried out on 45 serum samples and the results compared to those from a radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. The data acquired with the procedure described in this work compare well with the results from RIA, which confirms the reliability of the new analytical procedure.     

Acute reduction of renal 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity by several antinatriuretic stimuli

The 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD) activity of the kidney prevents access of cortisol or corticosterone to the renal mineralocorticoid receptor. Reduction of 11 beta-HSD activity by nutritional, hormonal, or pharmacologic factors might enhance the mineralocorticoid effect of these corticosteroids, thus causing sodium retention. To test this concept, we studied the effect on 11 beta-HSD activity of several antinatriuretic factors given orally to rats or exposed in vitro to rat renal tissue. Renal 11 beta-HSD activity was higher in fasted than fed rats (P < .05). Glucose, ethanol, and Toradol (Syntex Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA) given orally to fasted rats all reduced renal 11 beta-HSD activity by 20% to 40% (P < .05-.005) to levels similar to those observed in fed animals. Incubation of renal tissue from fasted rats with physiologic concentrations of insulin, ethanol, and Toradol also reduced 11 beta-HSD activity by 20% to 40% (P < .05-.01). These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the antinatriuretic actions of these stimuli are due in part to alteration of renal 11 beta-HSD leading to greater mineralocorticoid effects in kidney.     

New 11 beta-aryl-substituted steroids exhibit both progestational and antiprogestational activity

The syntheses of three 11 beta-aryl-19-norpregna-4,9-dien-3-one derivatives with 17-spirolactone and 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-cyanoethyl substitutions are described. The progesterone agonist/antagonist activities of the new compounds are investigated using a recently developed tissue culture system that relies on the progesterone agonist up-regulation of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) gene in female breast tumor cell lines. Two of the newly synthesized compounds exhibit mixed agonistic/antagonistic progestational activity.     

Vaccination against Haemonchus contortus with denatured forms of the protective antigen H11

As part of a systematic examination of the protective epitopes on H11, groups of sheep were vaccinated with preparations of purified H11 used untreated (group A), or progressively denatured (linearized) by incubation with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) (group B) or by boiling with SDS in the presence of dithiothreitol (group C). All the sheep developed antibodies which bound to the untreated H11. When challenged with 10,000 infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus the mean levels of protection relative to the mean values for adjuvant controls were 99.8%, 85% and 79% for faecal egg counts and 95%, 79% and 54% for worm burden at post-mortem for groups A, B and C respectively. The H11-specific antibodies inhibited the microsomal aminopeptidase activity of H11 in vitro up to 80%. The levels of inhibition by sera from individual animals correlated with levels of protection with r2, of 0.69-0.87.     

Synthesis and antimyoctic properties of 1-(2-alkyl-2-phenylethyl)-1H-imidazoles

The synthesis of 1-(2-alkyl-2-phenylethyl)-1H-imidazoles was accomplished starting from the corresponding phenylacetonitriles. Via alkylation, esterification, and sodium borohydride reduction-in the presence of lithium iodide-beta-phenylalconols were obtained. Mesylation of these alcohols and refluxing with imidazole in dimethylformamide furnished title compounds, which were active in vitro against dermatophytes, yeasts, other fungi, and gram-positive bacteria and in vivo as well as in vitro against Candida albicans.     

Reduced 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the remaining kidney following nephrectomy

Intracellular access of steroids to gluco- and mineralocorticoid receptors is regulated by reduced 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (OHSD) 1 and 2. These enzymes convert active 11beta-OH-steroids into inactive 11-keto-steroids. The purpose of the present study was to establish whether the 11beta-OHSD1 and 11beta-OHSD2 are modulated in the remnant kidney 24 h or 14 days after uninephrectomy (UNX) in rats. Overall, 11beta-OHSD activity was analyzed by measuring the ratio of the exogenous 11beta-OH-steroid prednisolone to its 11-keto metabolite prednisone in vivo in kidney tissue using high performance liquid chromatography. To determine which isoenzyme accounts for the changed activity 24 h after UNX, the oxidation and reduction attributable to 11beta-OHSD1 and oxidation to 11beta-OHSD2 were analyzed in total renal extracts and in isolated glomeruli, proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), cortical ascending limbs, and cortical convoluted tubules (CCT). The messenger RNA content of 11beta-OHSD1 and 11beta-OHSD2 was measured by RT-PCR in renal tissues and single segments, using glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase as an internal standard. Protein amounts of 11beta-OHSD1 and 11beta-OHSD2 were assessed by Western blot. The prednisolone/prednisone ratio increased 24 h after UNX in 9 out of 10 animals (P < or = 0.0011), and was unchanged 14 days after UNX. 11Beta-OHSD1 oxidation (P < or = 0.032) and reduction activity (P < or = 0.002) declined 24 h after UNX in total extracts. 11Beta-OHSD1 oxidase activity was more than 3 times higher in PCT than in glomeruli, cortical ascending limbs, and CCT, and declined by 50% after UNX (P < or = 0.001). The reductase activity did not change following UNX in PCT. 11Beta-OHSD2 activity was 5-15 times higher in CCT than in the other segments, and decreased significantly after UNX (P < or = 0.008). UNX did not affect messenger RNA and protein levels of both enzymes in total renal extracts. In conclusion, 11beta-OHSD1 and 11beta-OHSD2 are predominantly expressed in PCT and CCT, respectively, and their corresponding oxidative activities decline after UNX. Thus, the access of 11beta-glucocorticosteroids to gluco- and mineralocorticoid receptors in the remaining kidney is facilitated after UNX.     

2-[C-11]thymidine imaging of malignant brain tumors

Malignant brain tumors pose diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Despite the advent of new brain imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), determination of tumor viability and response to treatment is often difficult. Blood-brain barrier disruption can be caused by tumor or nonspecific reactions to treatment, making MRI interpretation ambiguous. The high metabolic background of the normal brain and its regional variability makes it difficult to identify small or less active tumors by FDG imaging of cellular energetics. We have investigated 2-[C-11]thymidine (dThd) and PET to image the rate of brain tumor cellular proliferation. A series of 13 patients underwent closely spaced dThd PET, FDG PET, and MRI procedures, and the image results were compared by standardized visual analysis. The resulting dThd scans were qualitatively different from the other two scans in approximately 50% of the cases, which suggests that dThd provided information distinct from FDG PET and MRI. In two cases, recurrent tumor was more apparent on the dThd study than on FDG; in two other patients, tumor dThd uptake was less than FDG uptake, and these patients had slower tumor progression than the three patients with both high dThd and FDG uptake. To better characterize tumor proliferation, kinetic modeling was applied to dynamic dThd PET uptake data and metabolite-analyzed blood data in a subset of patients. Kinetic analysis was able to remove the confounding influence of [C-11]CO2, the principal labeled metabolite of 2-[C-11]dThd, and to estimate the flux of dThd incorporation into DNA. Sequential, same-day [C-11]CO2 and [C-11]dThd imaging demonstrated the ability of kinetic analysis to model both dThd and CO2 simultaneously. Images of dThd flux obtained using the model along with the mixture analysis method for pixel-by-pixel parametric imaging significantly enhanced the contrast of tumor compared with normal brain. Comparison of model estimates of dThd transport versus dThd flux was able to discern increased dThd uptake simply on the basis of blood-brain barrier disruption retention on the basis of increased cellular proliferation. This preliminary study demonstrates the potential for imaging brain tumor cellular proliferation to provide unique information for guiding patient treatment.     

A role for CD4 in peripheral T cell differentiation

A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of cholesterol and its oxidation products as well as alpha-to-copherol and tocopherolquinone in brain subcellular fractions is described. The samples are saponified and extracted with hexane. It is not necessary to remove cholesterol in the sample before analyzing for oxysterols. The hexane extract can be used for the assay of cholesterol compounds by capillary gas chromatography and tocopherol compounds by liquid chromatography using a procedure reported previously. Oxidation of synaptosomes by a mixture of Fe2+ plus ascorbate resulted in the production of 7-keto-, 7 alpha-hydroxy-, 7 beta-hydroxy-, and 5 alpha, 6 alpha-epoxycholesterols. The identities of these products were confirmed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Cholesterol oxidase treatment did not result in the formation of any of the above compounds. Thus the types and amounts of the products of oxidation of cholesterol were dependent upon the oxidizing agent. Extraction of the oxysterols under milder conditions without saponification using sodium dodecyl sulfate cannot be used since such treatment results in low recovery of oxysterols. Oxidation of synaptosomes by low concentrations of ferrous iron and ascorbate resulted in (i) low levels of oxidation of cholesterol which could be followed by estimating the production of oxysterols and (ii) oxidation of a substantial percentage of alpha-tocopherol. The proposed procedure will be useful in monitoring the oxidation of small quantities of membrane cholesterol in vitro.     

Opposing effects of different steroid sulfates on GABAA receptor-mediated chloride uptake

Steroids with the 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha- or 5beta-reduced configurations of the A ring interact with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor chloride channel complex and potentiate the stimulation of Cl- uptake by GABA agonists. Conversely, the sulfate esters of 3beta-hydroxy-5-ene neurosteroids pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone behave as inhibitory modulators. In the present work, steroid sulfates were tested for their ability to modulate muscimol-induced chloride ion uptake into cortical synaptoneurosomes. 3alpha-Hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one sulfate and several other 3alpha-hydroxy-steroid sulfates potentiated, whereas 3beta-hydroxy-steroid sulfates inhibited muscimol effect. It is concluded that GABA-agonistic or antagonistic properties of steroid sulfates depend on the alpha or beta orientation of the sulfate moiety linked to the A ring.     

实验室废旧贵金属材料中铂的回收利用

实验室使用的含铂耗材会因为长时间使用形成损耗、变性或功能失效,长期搁置或丢弃造成极大的浪费,工业上常使用硼氢化钠作还原剂还原回收铂。实验依据硼氢化钾相比硼氢化钠具有分解温度高、稳定性好、在使用过程中较安全的特性,与氯化铵相结合利用二次沉淀法,以实验室含铂废旧耗材为原料,建立了硼氢化钾还原-氯化铵沉淀法回收铂的方法。为了获得纯净的金属铂,实验采用硝酸分离杂质元素,王水溶解铂,反复用盐酸驱赶氮氧化物,使铂充分转化为氯铂酸。在40℃、5%(V/V)盐酸介质中用硼氢化钾还原氯铂酸及少量难溶于王水的氧化铂,再用王水溶解铂黑并完全转化为氯铂酸,氯铂酸与过量的氯化铵形成黄色氯铂酸铵沉淀,陈化过夜。选择分段缓慢升温分解氯铂酸铵,在750℃和900℃煅烧,分别获得松散的金属铂粉和较致密的金属铂。两次沉淀溶液中残余的铂离子均小于20μg/mL。回收铂的纯度不小于99.9%,回收率大于99.5%。     

Synthesis and antileukemic activity of certain D-fucopyranosyl nucleosides

Based upon previously discovered antileukemic properties of 9-beta-D-fucopyranosyladenine (1) in cell culture, four new nucleosides containing naturally occurring bases have been prepared from D-fucose. alpha-D-Fucopyranose tetraacetate was condensed with the silylated bases in either acetonitrile or 1,2-dichloroethane with tin(IV) chloride as the catalyst. The intermediate blocked nucleosides were obtained in crystalline form and deacetylated with methanolic sodium methoxide. 1-beta-D-Fucopyranosyluracil (8), 1-beta-D-fucopyranosylthymine (9), 1-beta-D-fucopyranosylcytosine (10) as the hydrochloride salt, and 7-beta-D-fucopyranosylguanine (11) were crystallized, and their structures were verified by spectroscopic techniques. Nucleosides 8 and 9 had only borderline activity against leukemia L1210 cells grown in culture, whereas nucleoside 11 had activity equal to 1. However, nucleoside 10 proved to be twice as active as either 1 or 11. The antileukemic activity, which was due to the inhibition of cell division, was reversible by transfer of the arrested cells to fresh media or by the addition of cytidine.     

Allergy to Anisakis simplex. Report of 2 cases and review of the literature

The metabolism of estradiol was investigated in postmenopausal women after 4 weeks' treatment with oral or transdermal unopposed estradiol. The urinary excretion of the metabolites was examined. With both administration routes, 2-hydroxyestrone, the main A-ring metabolite, and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone, the main D-ring metabolite, were excreted in higher amounts than estradiol and estrone. The ratio of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone remained the same for both administration routes. It has been suggested that dominance of D-ring metabolism, i.e. increase of 16alpha-hydroxyestrone production, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. The present study indicates that neither oral nor transdermal estradiol substitution shift this ratio to a higher level of possible risk. Oral estradiol substitution, however, in our study leads to higher metabolite concentrations which may be regarded as hazardous for women with diseases favoring D-ring metabolism.     

The use of borohydrides of alkaline metals in the volumetric analysis of medicaments

The possibility and conditions of determination of weak acid type medicaments were examined, using aqueous and non-aqueous sodium borohydride volumetric solutions. The process and control of titration were carried out potentiometrically and visually using acido-basic indicators. It was shown that for practical applications sodium borohydride aqueous solutions are more suitable. Analytical methods of determination for medicaments from the group of sulphonamides and barbiturates and their sodium salts, for phenylbutazone and kebuzone, salicylamide, nalidixic acid and theophylline were elaborated. All results were in good agreement with methods used in CsL 3, or other alternative methods. The advantages of the proposed method are good stability of sodium borohydride volumetric solution and insensitivity of titrated systems to CO2 from the atmosphere, which is unavoidable with alkalimetric titrations in aqueous and non-aqueous systems. An hypothesis has been suggested to explain the probable reactive mechanism of determination, supported by results obtained with the proposed analytical methods using a medium of suitable organic solvents with a maximum content of ca. 15% water near the final point of titration.     

Estimation of impurity profiles of drugs and related materials: part 19: theme with variations. Identification of impurities in 3-oxosteroids

Due to the varied reactions leading to the 3-oxo group in steroids and the reactivity of its environment, a large number of impurities related to this group are formed during the reaction steps and the degradation studies. In this paper the experiences from the authors laboratory with the 3-oxo-related impurities in 19-nor-4-ene-3-oxosteroids (norgestrel, norethisterone, nandrolone, its esters and Nestorone) as well as corticosteroids (prednisolone, mazipredone, etc) are presented. The impurities include saturated 3-ones, 1-ene-3-ones, 5(10)-ene-3-ones, 3-deoxo and 3-ethinyl-3,5-diene derivatives, 6-ene, 8(14)-ene, 6,8(14)-diene, 6-hydroxy (alpha and beta), 10beta-hydroxy and 6-one derivatives in 4-ene-3-oxosteroids and 8(9)-ene, 9(11)-ene, 11alpha-hydroxy, 11-oxo and 4-ene-3-one derivatives in 11beta-hydroxy-1,4-diene-3-oxosteroids. The chromatographic, spectroscopic and hyphenated techniques used in this study include TLC, GC, HPLC with diode array UV detector, GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR methods.     

Renal 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity is enhanced by ramipril and captopril

Changes of renal 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity may contribute to variations of sodium excretion by modulating inactivation of cortisol or corticosterone and thus their access to mineralocorticoid receptors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors enhance sodium excretion but by mechanisms still incompletely understood. To test the hypothesis that the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors ramipril and captopril act in part by enhancing renal 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, the effects of these agents in slices of rat renal outer medulla were examined. Conversion of 3H-corticosterone to 3H-11-dehydrocorticosterone was 58% greater in tissue from fasted rats than from fed rats (mean +/- SE 2467 +/- 146 vs. 1584 +/- 102 pmol/mg protein.h, P < 0.01). Incubation of tissue from fed rats with physiological concentrations of ramiprilat, the active form of ramipril, enhanced activity (1497 +/- 76) to fasted levels (2323 +/- 120, P < 0.02). Captopril had a similar in vitro effect (1557 +/- 92 to 2109 +/- 116, P < 0.01). Ramipril given in vivo to fed rats also increased activity to fasted levels (1716 +/- 101 to 2737 +/- 396, P < 0.05). Angiotensin II incubated with renal tissue from fasted rats suppressed activity to fed levels, but this effect was prevented by the presence of ramiprilat. Both ramipril and captopril enhance renal 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, and this effect is only partly explained by limitation of endogenous angiotensin II production.