Development of a sensitive activity assay for high-volume evaluation of human renin inhibitory peptides in rat serum : results with U-71,038

A sensitive activity assay for high volume evaluation of human renin inhibitory peptides (RIPs) in rat sera (range 2–80 ng/ml) was developed based on the low affinity of RIPs to rat renin and their high affinity to human renin. The utility of this activity assay was tested by measuring concentrations of a human RIP, U-71,038 (BOC-Pro-Phe-N-MeHis-Leu Ψ [CHOHCH2]Val-Ile-Amp), in rat sera, determined by the activity assay, by a sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA), and by tracking tritiated drug. Rats were given radiolabeled drug as an intravenous bolus, and blood samples were collected at various times after dosing. The serum level of U-71,038 equivalents was determined by the three techniques. Whole blood was also counted for total radioactivity to evaluate the potential for U-71,038 incorporation into red blood cells. Results from the three serum assays indicate good agreement between the calculated U-71,038 equivalents for the 30 min and 1 hr collection times. The 2 and 4 hr collection times show excellent agreement for the activity assay and RIA; [3H]-U-71,038 determinations gave substantially higher values. Serum levels for U-71,038 determined 30 min after dosing averaged less than 300 ng equivalents/ml suggesting that less than 1% of the administered dose was in the systemic circulation at that time. Thus, U-71,038 was rapidly cleared. At the 4 hr collection time, the level of U-71,038 equivalents, as determined by activity assay and RIA, was ten times the in vitro IC50 for the renin inhibitory activity of U-71,038. Analysis of whole blood levels of 3[H]-U-71,038 indicated little or no incorporation of drug related material into red blood cells. In addition to predicting pharmacological response, the activity assay can be used to quantify human RIPs in rat serum when biotransformation is absent.