The Renin-Angiotensin System: A Key Role in SARS-CoV-2-Induced COVID-19

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was first identified in Eastern Asia (Wuhan, China) in December 2019. The virus then spread to Europe and across all continents where it has led to higher mortality and morbidity, and was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Recently, different vaccines have been produced and seem to be more or less effective in protecting from COVID-19. The renin–angiotensin system (RAS), an essential enzymatic cascade involved in maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte balance, is involved in the pathogenicity of COVID-19, since the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) acts as the cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 in many human tissues and organs. In fact, the viral entrance promotes a downregulation of ACE2 followed by RAS balance dysregulation and an overactivation of the angiotensin II (Ang II)–angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) axis, which is characterized by a strong vasoconstriction and the induction of the profibrotic, proapoptotic and proinflammatory signalizations in the lungs and other organs. This mechanism features a massive cytokine storm, hypercoagulation, an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and subsequent multiple organ damage. While all individuals are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, the disease outcome and severity differ among people and countries and depend on a dual interaction between the virus and the affected host. Many studies have already pointed out the importance of host genetic polymorphisms (especially in the RAS) as well as other related factors such age, gender, lifestyle and habits and underlying pathologies or comorbidities (diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) that could render individuals at higher risk of infection and pathogenicity. In this review, we explore the correlation between all these risk factors as well as how and why they could account for severe post-COVID-19 complications.     

Angiotensin II Type I Receptor (AT1R): The Gate towards COVID-19-Associated Diseases

The binding of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein to its cellular receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), causes its downregulation, which subsequently leads to the dysregulation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in favor of the ACE–angiotensin II (Ang II)–angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) axis. AT1R has a major role in RAS by being involved in several physiological events including blood pressure control and electrolyte balance. Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, pathogenic episodes generated by the vasoconstriction, proinflammatory, profibrotic, and prooxidative consequences of the Ang II–AT1R axis activation are accompanied by a hyperinflammatory state (cytokine storm) and an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). AT1R, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, modulates Ang II deleterious effects through the activation of multiple downstream signaling pathways, among which are MAP kinases (ERK 1/2, JNK, p38MAPK), receptor tyrosine kinases (PDGF, EGFR, insulin receptor), and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases (Src, JAK/STAT, focal adhesion kinase (FAK)), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. COVID-19 is well known for generating respiratory symptoms, but because ACE2 is expressed in various body tissues, several extrapulmonary pathologies are also manifested, including neurologic disorders, vasculature and myocardial complications, kidney injury, gastrointestinal symptoms, hepatic injury, hyperglycemia, and dermatologic complications. Therefore, the development of drugs based on RAS blockers, such as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), that inhibit the damaging axis of the RAS cascade may become one of the most promising approaches for the treatment of COVID-19 in the near future. We herein review the general features of AT1R, with a special focus on the receptor-mediated activation of the different downstream signaling pathways leading to specific cellular responses. In addition, we provide the latest insights into the roles of AT1R in COVID-19 outcomes in different systems of the human body, as well as the role of ARBs as tentative pharmacological agents to treat COVID-19.     

Octapeptide-specific and sensitive assay for angiotensin II in plasma

Angiotensin-(1-8)octapeptide (angiotensin II) is the active principle of the renin-angiotensin system. Crossreaction of angiotensin II-antisera with inactive precursors and metabolic fragments prevented the specific quantitation of this hormone in biological fluids. Peptide-extraction on bonded-phase silica followed by peptide-separation using isocratic reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography and subsequent radioimmunoassay rendered possible the octapeptide-specific measurement of angiotensin II in 2 ml plasma with a detection limit of 0.4 fmol/ml. The coefficient of variation for intra-assay precision was 0.06 and for inter-assay precision 0.13. 125I-angiotensin II was recovered from plasma by solid-phase extraction to 99 +/- 2% (mean +/- S.D.). The overall recovery of 5, 10 and 20 fmol unlabeled angiotensin II added to plasma was 80 +/- 10%. Plasma concentrations in supine normal humans averaged 4.1 +/- 1.6 fmol/ml and were suppressed below the detection limit by angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibition.     

Effects of Angiotensin II on Erythropoietin Production in the Kidney and Liver

The kidney is a main site of erythropoietin production in the body. We developed a new method for the detection of Epo protein by deglycosylation-coupled Western blotting. Detection of deglycosylated Epo enables the examination of small changes in Epo production. Using this method, we investigated the effects of angiotensin II (ATII) on Epo production in the kidney. ATII stimulated the plasma Epo concentration; Epo, HIF2α, and PHD2 mRNA expression in nephron segments in the renal cortex and outer medulla; and Epo protein expression in the renal cortex. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that ATII stimulates Epo mRNA and protein expression not only in proximal tubules but also in collecting ducts, especially in intercalated cells. These data support the regulation of Epo production in the kidney by the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAS).     

Interplay of terminal amino group and coordinating side chains in directing regioselective cleavage of natural peptides and proteins with palladium(II) complexes

Palladium(II) ions anchored to side chains of histidine and methionine residues in peptides and proteins in weakly acidic aqueous solutions promote hydrolytic cleavage of proximate amide bonds in the backbone. In this study, we determine how attachment of Pd(II) ions to histidine and methionine anchors and also to the terminal amino group in six natural peptides (chains A and B of insulin, segment 11-14 of angiotensinogen, pentagastrin, angiotensin II, and segment 3-8 of angiotensin II) and two proteins (ubiquitin and cytochrome c) affects regioselectivity and rate of backbone cleavage. These Pd(II)-promoted reactions follow a clear pattern of regioselectivity, directed by the anchoring side chains. When the Pd(II) reagent is nonspecifically anchored to the terminal amino group, the ligating site that is present in almost all proteins, the cleavage is fortunately absent. When the reagent is anchored to a residue in positions 1, 2, or 3, cleavage is absent, because the terminal amino group and deprotonated amide nitrogen atom(s) interposed between it and the anchor "lock" the Pd(II) ion in hydrolytically inactive chelate complexes. When the reagent is anchored to residues in positions beyond 3, the second amide bond upstream from the anchor is regioselectively cleaved in all cases when the anchor was "isolated," that is, flanked by noncoordinating side chains. Segment 3-8 of angiotensin II undergoes additional cleavage, which we explain by determining the rate constants for the cleavage, identifying the rate-limiting displacement of ethylenediamine ligand from the Pd(II) ion, and detecting several intermediates. Experiments with cytochrome c demonstrate that the number of cleavage sites can be controlled by adjusting the mole ratio of the Pd(II) reagent to the substrate. Our inorganic peptidases are useful for biochemical applications because their regioselectivity and reactivity set them apart from proteolytic enzymes and organic chemical reagents.     

Identification of novel human renin inhibitors through a combined approach of pharmacophore modelling,molecular DFT analysis and in silico screening

Renin is an aspartyl protease of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and the first enzyme of the biochemical pathway for the generation of angiotensin II – a potent vasoconstrictor involved in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis and the regulation of blood pressure. High enzymatic specificity of renin and its involvement in the catalysis of the rate-limiting step of the RAS hormone system qualify it as a good target for inhibition of hypertension and other associated diseases. Ligand-based pharmacophore model (Hypo1) was generated from a training set of 24 compounds with renin inhibitory activity. The best hypothesis consisted of one Hydrogen Bond Acceptor (HBA), three Hydrophobic Aliphatic (HY-Al) and one Ring Aromatic (AR) features. This well-validated pharmacophore hypothesis (correlation coefficient 0.95) was further utilized as a 3D query to screen database compounds, which included structures from two natural product repositories. These screened compounds were further analyzed for drug-likeness and ADMET studies. The compounds which satisfied the qualifying criteria were then subjected to molecular docking and Density Functional Theory (DFT) analysis in order to discern their atomic level interactions at the active site of the 3D structure of rennin. The pharmacophore-based modelling that has been used to generate the novel findings of the present study would be an avant-garde approach towards the development of potent inhibitors of renin.     

Development of inhibitors of the aspartyl protease renin for the treatment of hypertension

Renin is the rate-limiting enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) which controls blood pressure and volume. The biological function of renin is to cleave the N-terminus of angiotensinogen releasing the decapeptide, angiotensin I (ANGI). Subsequently, angiotensin I is further processed by the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) to produce angiotensin II (ANGII). The RAS cascade is a major target for the clinical management of hypertension. Current clinical treatments include angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and ANGII receptor blockers (ARBs). As the rate-limiting enzyme in ANGII production, renin inhibitors have been pursued as an additional class of anti-hypertensives. Clinical studies conducted with renin inhibitors have shown them to be as effective as ACE inhibitors in lowering blood pressure. Most importantly, inhibitors of renin may have a number of potential advantages over ACEi and ARBs. Renin is specific for angiotensinogen and will not carry the ancillary pharmacology associated with ACEi or ARBs. To date, no renin inhibitors have made it to market. The development of these inhibitors has been hindered by poor bioavailability and complex synthesis. However, despite the pharmacokinetic challenges of designing renin inhibitors, the enzyme remains a promising target for the development of novel treatments for hypertension. This review will consist of an overview of renin biology, the pharmacology of renin and RAS and focus in on renin as a target for blood pressure regulation. We also cover the evaluation of renin inhibitors in animal models and clinical studies. Presently a number of new generation inhibitors of renin are in development with at least one in the clinic and these will be discussed. Finally we will discuss what might distinguish renin inhibitors from current therapeutic options and discuss other therapeutic indications renin inhibitors might have.     

Actions of Novel Angiotensin Receptor Blocking Drugs,Bisartans, Relevant for COVID-19 Therapy: Biased Agonism at Angiotensin Receptors and the Beneficial Effects of Neprilysin in the Renin Angiotensin System

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) used in the treatment of hypertension and potentially in SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibit inverse agonist effects at angiotensin AR1 receptors, suggesting the receptor may have evolved to accommodate naturally occurring angiotensin ‘antipeptides’. Screening of the human genome has identified a peptide (EGVYVHPV) encoded by mRNA, complementary to that encoding ANG II itself, which is an inverse agonist. Thus, opposite strands of DNA encode peptides with opposite effects at AR1 receptors. Agonism and inverse agonism at AR1 receptors can be explained by a receptor ‘switching’ between an activated state invoking receptor dimerization/G protein coupling and an inverse agonist state mediated by an alternative/second messenger that is slow to reverse. Both receptor states appear to be driven by the formation of the ANG II charge-relay system involving TyrOH-His/imidazole-Carboxylate (analogous to serine proteases). In this system, tyrosinate species formed are essential for activating AT1 and AT2 receptors. ANGII is also known to bind to the zinc-coordinated metalloprotease angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) used by the COVID-19 virus to enter cells. Here we report in silico results demonstrating the binding of a new class of anionic biphenyl-tetrazole sartans (‘Bisartans’) to the active site zinc atom of the endopeptidase Neprilysin (NEP) involved in regulating hypertension, by modulating humoral levels of beneficial vasoactive peptides in the RAS such as vasodilator angiotensin (1–7). In vivo and modeling evidence further suggest Bisartans can inhibit ANG II-induced pulmonary edema and may be useful in combatting SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting ACE2-mediated viral entry to cells.     

The use of 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine as a precolumn derivatizing reagent in HPLC determination for Fe(II) in natural samples.

3-(2-Pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (PDT) was used for the first time as a precolumn derivatizing reagent in the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV absorbance detection for the Fe(II) determination. The Fe(II) reacts with PDT to form a magenta colored chelate in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer solution medium of pH 4.65. The selection of maximum absorbance detection wavelength and the optimum composition of the organic modifier in the mobile phase were investigated in detail for the quantitative determination of Fe(II) using HPLC system. The formed Fe(II)-PDT chelate was satisfactorily separated from PDT on an Agilent Shim-pack ODS column (Eclipse XDB-C8, 4.6 x 150 mm) by isocratic elution with acetonitrile and 0.02 mol L(-1) acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer solution (pH 4.65, containing 0.02% of SDS and 60 x 10(-3) mol L(-1) NaClO(4)) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL min(-1), and monitored with a multiple wavelength detector. The detection limit (S/N = 3) is 0.35 ng mL(-1). Due to the excellent separation ability of HPLC, the innovative introduction of PDT as the precolumn derivatizing reagent, and the proper selection of the detect wavelength, the sensitivity of our newly developed HPLC method was enhanced remarkably compared to those of the common spectrophotometric methods. The developed HPLC method was successfully applied to the determination of Fe(II) in lake water samples.     

Simultaneous determination of angiotensins II and 1-7 by capillary zone electrophoresis in plasma and urine from hypertensive rats

We describe the procedure developed for the simultaneous detection and quantification of angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7), by capillary zone electrophoresis with UV detection by photodiode-array, at a wavelength of 200 nm, in the plasma and urine from hypertensive rats. Optimal separation was achieved with a 100 mM boric acid + 3 mM tartaric acid + 10 fM gold (III) chloride electrolyte solution at pH 9.80. The applied voltage was 30 kV and the capillary temperature was kept constant at 20 °C. The method was over the concentration range of 0.01-500 pmol/mL. All determination coefficients were higher or equal to 0.9985. Limits of detection and quantification for angiotensin II were 0.0110 pmol/mL (S/N = 3) and 0.0195 pmol/mL (S/N = 5), respectively. While for angiotensin-(1-7), the limits were 0.0112 pmol/mL (S/N = 3) and 0.0193 pmol/mL (S/N = 5), respectively. The present method offers a time-saving way to simultaneous determination of angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7), since it can be completed in 10 min, compared to other methodologies reported in the literature for capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography, which require more than 1 h for analysis of complex matrices, such as plasma and urine. The procedure is illustrated by experiments that quantify simultaneously angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7) in plasma and urine from hypertensive and normotensive rats, with and without antihypertensive treatment. The levels of angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7) detected in the experimental model, resulted in a recovery of 99.00-106.01% and a reproducibility of less than 10%. The proposed analytical method is a use full tool for the simultaneous detection of angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7) implicated in vascular remodeling in pathologies such as hypertension.     

Potentiometric flow titration of iron(II) and chromium(VI) based on flow rate ratio of a titrant to a sample

A new potentiometric flow titration has been proposed based on the relationship of the flow rates between titrant and sample solutions. A sample solution is pumped at a constant flow rate. The flow rate of the titrant solution is gradually increased at regular time intervals and a flow rate for the titrant solution in the vicinity of the equivalence point is obtained. The concentration of the sample is calculated by C(S) (mol l(-1))=(R(T) (ml min(-1))xC(T) (mol l(-1)))/R(S) (ml min(-1)), where C(S), C(T), R(S), and R(T) denote the unknown sample concentration, titrant concentration in the reservoir, the flow rate of the sample solution which is a constant rate, and the flow rate of the titrant solution at an inflection point, respectively. The potentiometric flow titration of iron(II) with cerium(IV) and of chromium(VI) with iron(II) has been presented. The titration time of the proposed method is about 10 min per sample. An R.S.D. of the method is 0.77% for seven determinations of 1x10(-3) mol l(-1) iron(II). Similarly, the flow titration of chromium(VI) with iron(II) is carried out over the range 1x10(-4)-1x10(-3) mol l(-1) chromium(VI) and is successfully applied to the determination of chromium in high carbon ferrochromium.     

Octapeptide-Specific and Sensitive Assay for Angiotensin II in Plasma

Abstract

Angiotensin-(1–8)octapeptide (angiotensin II) is the active principle of the reninangiotensin system. Crossreaction of angiotensin II-antisera with inactive precursors and metabolic fragments prevented the specific quantitation of this hormone in biological fluids. Peptide-extraction on bonded-phase silica followed by peptide-separation using isocratic reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography and subsequent radioimmunoassay rendered possible the octapeptide-specific measurement of angiotensin II in 2 ml plasma with a detection limit of 0.4fmol/ml. The coefficient of variation for intra-assay precision was 0.06 and for inter-assay precision 0.13. ¹²⁵Iangiotensin II was recovered from plasma by solid-phase extraction to 99±2% (mean ± S.D.). The overall recovery of 5, 10 and 20 fmol unlabeled angiotensin II added to plasma was 80±10%. Plasma concentrations in supine normal humans averaged 4.1 ± 1.6 fmol/ml and were suppressed below the detection limit by angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibition.     

Studies on 1, 2, 4-Benzothiadiazine 1, 1-Dioxide IX.1 Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of 1, 2, 4-Benzothiadiazine 1, 1-Dioxide Biphenyl Tetrazoles as Angiotensin II Antagonists

In the course of our investigations on the development of cardiovascular agents, 3-butyl-2-[2′-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)bipheny]-4-yl]methyl-2H-1, 2, 4-benzothiadiazine 1, 1-dioxide ( 2 ) was considered as a potential angiotensin II antagonist on the basis of bioisosteric replacement of the quinazoline ring of compound 1 with a 1, 2, 4-benzothiadiazine 1, 1-dioxide ring system. Alkylation of 6 with 4 afforded 7 and 8 in 24% and 28% yields, respectively. An attempt to remove the trityl group of compounds 7 and 8 under acidic condition gave the ring opened products 9 and 11 in 28% and 36% yields, respectively. However, compounds 2 and 10 were obtained in 46% and 85% yields when compounds 7 and 8 were refluxed in methanol. Preliminary assays of compounds 9 and 11 against angiotensin II receptors revealed weak activity with IC₅₀ values of 3.6 μM and 5.4 μM, respectively. Compound 10 (IC₅₀ = 87 nM) exhibited stronger binding affinity than compound 2 (IC₅₀ = 750 nM).     

Quantitation of plasma angiotensin II in healthy Chinese subjects by a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method

Quantitation of plasma angiotensin (Ang) II, the active mediator of the renin–angiotensin system, is challenging owing to its low physiological concentration. We report a validated liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS) method to overcome this challenge. Ang II was extracted from EDTA plasma by an offline solid-phase extraction procedure with a Waters MAX μElution plate. LCMS quantitation was performed on the Waters TQS system, monitoring the 3+ ions of the peptide. The analytical performance of the LCMS method was validated. The stability of Ang II was studied with or without the presence of a protease inhibitor. Local reference intervals were established from 143 healthy normotensive subjects (57% female, 21–60 years old). The Ang II LCMS method had a measurable range of 3.3–700 pmol/L. The between-batch precision coefficient of variation was <7% over Ang II concentrations of 8.6–110 pmol/L. No significant matrix interference and carryover were observed. There was no significant difference in Ang II concentration in EDTA blood and plasma for at least 2h and 1 h at room temperature, respectively. Ang II was stable for at least 1 year when stored at −80°C, with or without the protease inhibitor. Age-dependent Ang II reference intervals were established: 4.4–17.7 pmol/L (21–30 years) and 3.9–12.8 pmol/L (31–60 years). The present LCMS method is suitable for quantitation of plasma Ang II to study the renin-angiotensin system.     

Angiotensin converting enzyme I/D, angiotensinogen T174M-M235T and angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C gene polymorphisms in Turkish hypertensive patients

Essential hypertension is a multifactorial disease in which genetic and enviromental factors play an important role. These factors differ in each population. As there are no existing data for the Turkish population, we investigated four Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) gene polymorphisms, the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGN) M235T/T174M and angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C polymorphism in 109 hypertensive and 86 normotensive Turkish subjects. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP), and agarose gel electrophoresis tecniques were used to determine these polymorphism. The frequencies of person that carry ACE D allel (DD+ID) was significantly higher in hypertensive group (99.1%) than controls (80%) (P 0.000). M235T TT genotype was also found significantly higher in hypertensives than control group (20% vs 2.7%; P 0.001). The frequency of AGN 174M allele was higher in the hypertensive group than control subjects (8.76% vs 4.81%). Frequency of ATR1 C allele (AC+CC genotypes) was found higher hypertensives than controls (39.4% vs 25.9%; P = 0.054). Our results suggest that an interaction exists between the RAS genes and hypertension in Turkish population.     

Neuropeptide conversion to bioactive fragments--an important pathway in neuromodulation

Biosynthetic pathways for the formation of neuroactive peptides and the processes for their inactivation include several enzymatic steps. In addition to enzymatic processing and degradation, several neuropeptides have been shown to undergo enzymatic conversion to fragments with retained or modified biological activity. This has most clearly been demonstrated for e.g. opioid peptides, tachykinins, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) as well as for peptides belonging to the renin-angiotensin system. Sometimes the released fragment shares the activity of the parent compound. However, in many cases the conversion reaction is linked to a change in the receptor activation profile, i.e. the generated fragment acts on and stimulates a receptor not recognized by the parent peptide. This review will describe the characteristics of certain neuropeptide fragments having the ability to modify the biological action of the peptide from which they are derived. Focus will be directed to the tachykinins, the opioid peptides, angiotensins as well as to CGRP, bradykinin and nociceptin. The kappa opioid receptor selective opioid peptide, dynorphin, recognized for its ability to produce dysphoria, is converted to the delta opioid receptor agonist Leu-enkephalin, with euphoric properties. The tachykinins, typified by substance P (SP), is converted to the bioactive fragment SP(1-7), a heptapeptide mimicking some but opposing other effects of the parent peptide. The bioactive angiotensin II, known to bind to and stimulate the AT-1 and AT-2 receptors, is converted to angiotensin IV (i.e. angiotensin 3-8) with preference for the AT-4 sites or to angiotensin (1-7), not recognized by any of these receptors. Both angiotensin IV and angiotensin (1-7) are biologically active. For example angiotensin (1-7) retains some of the actions ascribed for angiotensin II but is shown to counteract others. Thus, it is obvious that the activity of many neuroactive peptides is modulated by bioactive fragments, which are formed by the action of a variety of peptidases. This phenomenon appears to represent an important regulatory mechanism that modulates many neuropeptide systems but is generally not acknowledged.     

Pneumatic flow injection analysis-tandem spectrometer system for iron speciation.

A pneumatic flow injection-tandem spectrometer system, without a delivery pump was used for the speciation of iron. In this system, the suction force of a pneumatic nebulizer of a flame absorption spectrometer was used for solution delivery through the manifold. The Fe(III) and total Fe concentrations were determined using thiocyanate ion in a UV-Vis spectrometer and a FAAS, respectively. The Fe(II) was determined by the difference. The calibration curves were linear up to 18 microg mL(-1) and 25 microg mL(-1) with detection limits of 0.09 microg mL(-1) and 0.07 microg mL(-1) for Fe(III) and Fe(II), respectively. The mid-range precision and accuracy were <2.5% and +/-3% for the two species, respectively, at a sampling rate of 120 h(-1). This system was applied for the determination of Fe(III) and Fe(II) in industrial water, natural water and spiked samples.     

Sequential injection spectrophotometric assay of bromazepam complexed with iron(II) in hydrochloric acid with chemometric optimization

A sequential injection spectrophotometric method for the assay of bromazepam anxiolytic drug has been reported. The method is based on the complexation reaction of bromazepam with iron(II) in hydrochloric acid media and spectrophotometrically measuring the product at lambda(max)=585 nm. A comprehensive chemometrical optimization treatment was successfully utilized for determining the proper optimum operating conditions for both the system and the chemical variables. The experimental design approach was employed and a 2(k) factorial design was run for studying the interaction effects of four factors namely, hydrochloric acid concentration, iron(II) concentration, delay time and flow rate. The super modified simplex algorithm was utilized for optimizing the three highly interacting factors which were, hydrochloric acid, iron(II), and delay time. The conditions obtained were 150 microl 0.110 mol l(-3) hydrochloric acid, 75 microl 0.328 mol l(-3) iron(II), 1200 s delay time and 40 microl s(-1) flow rate. The method was found to be suitable for the determination of Bromazepam in pharmaceutical preparations and the results obtained for the assay of the compound in proprietary drugs indicate that the method suffers no interference from excipients.     

Analysis of Plasma Angiotensins by Reversed Phase HPLC and Radioimmunoassay

Abstract

The analysis of biologically active angiotensin peptides in blood plasma by high performance liquid chromatography in a weakly non-polar reversed phase (C₂) chromatographic system combined with quantification of chromatographically isolated peptides by radioimmunoassay has been developed. This system is able to resolve each of seven closely-related peptides of the angiotensin group. The chromatographic system was applied to plasma samples which have been prepared for chromatographic analysis by C₁₈ cartridge extraction. Samples were reconstituted in HPLC solvent prior to injection into the HPLC system. Separated angiotensin were collected by fraction collector and the volatile components of the solvent system were blown off under an air stream. The content of several of the various angiotensin peptides in the fractions was then determined by radioimmunoassay using an appropriate antiserum. Antiserum to angiotensin II (octapeptide) was used to quantify the biologically active components angiotensin II, angiotensin III (hepta-peptide) and C-terminal hexapeptide. Recovery of angiotensin II in the C₁₈ cartridge extraction has been assessed at 85.0 ± 0.9% (mean ± SEM) using I¹²⁵-labelled angiotensin II, and 82.2 ± 4.45% using synthetic unlabelled angiotensin II. Recovery of standard preparations of angiotensin II in the HPLC system have been estimated at 67.5 ± 6.08%. The application of this technique to evaluating some components of the angiotensin in normal plasma is presented.     

Potential of Modified Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphtol as a New Solid Sorbent for the Preconcentration of Trace Amounts of Cobalt(II) Ion

The present paper reports on the application of modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MMWCNTs) as a new, easily prepared and stable solid sorbent for the preconcentration of trace Co(II) in aqueous solution. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were oxidized with concentrated HNO(3) and modified with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphtol (PAN), and were then used as a solid phase for the preconcentration of Co(II). Factors influencing the sorption and desorption of Co(II) were investigated. Elution was carried out with 0.5 mol L(-1) HNO(3). The amount of eluted Co(II) was measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of the experimental parameters, including the sample pH, sample flow rate, eluent flow rate and eluent concentration, were investigated. The effect of coexisting ions showed no interference from most ions tested. The proposed method permitted a large enrichment factor (about 300). The precision of the method was 1.63% (for eight replicate determination of 0.5 microg mL(-1) of Co(II)) and the limit of detection was 0.55 ng mL(-1). The method was applied to the determination of Co(II) in water, biological and standard samples.