Brain Angiotensin II Stimulates Release of Pituitary Hormones, Plasma Catecholamines and Increases Blood Pressure in Dogs

1. The mechanisms of central angiotensin II blood pressure effects in conscious dogs on normal or sodium-deficient diets were examined.

2. The biosynthesis of brain angiotensin II in cerebrospinal fluid from its local precursor angiotensinogen was induced in vivo by injection of 0.5 unit of hog kidney renin through a chronically implanted cannula into the third brain ventricle in conscious dogs.

3. Intracerebroventricular administration of renin induced an increase of arterial blood pressure and a marked drinking response under both dietary regimens. Sodium restriction had no effect on the magnitude of the central angiotensin pressor response.

4. Plasma concentrations of renin and angiotensin II decreased, and plasma antidiuretic hormone, noradrenaline, adrenaline and corticosterone increased, in both groups of dogs.

5. Simultaneous intraventricular administrations of captopril with renin inhibited the central renin effects. Intracerebroventricular injections of [Sar¹, Val⁵, Ala⁸] angiotensin II alone increased plasma renin and angiotensin II concentrations.

6. It is concluded that endogenous brain angiotensin II participates in central mechanisms of blood pressure regulation by the stimulation of the release of antidiuretic hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, adrenaline and noradrenaline.