Human serum angiotensinase and vasopressin-degrading activities from childhood to elderly

The increase of blood pressure with development and ageing has been extensively reported. The aim of this study is to analyse the changes in the angiotensinase and vasopressin-degrading activities in men and women in various age groups. Aminopeptidase N ( A P N ) , a m i n o p e p t i d a s e B ( A P B ) a n d vasopressin-degrading activity (AVP-DA) were measured fluorometrically using arylamide derivatives as substrates. All the activities decreased during ageing. The correlation between aminopeptidase activities and age in males and females demonstrated only a highly significant inverse correlation for APB in females. These results could indicate the maintenance or the increase in Ang III and vasopressin in plasma, which may contribute to the increase in blood pressure observed during ageing.