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Angiotensin II supports sympathetically mediated vasopressor response to footshock-stress

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 16, pages S84–S88 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The present study was carried out to assess whether endogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) supports sympathetically mediated cardiovascular response to stress in conscious unrestrained rats, using experimental models in which the renin-angiotensin-system was reduced or blocked. Footshock-stress increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme with captopril or blockade of AT1angiotensin receptor with losartan, attenuated vasopressor responses to footshocks, while heart rate response was not altered. Bilateral nephrectomy suppressed vasopressor response as well the elevation of plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline induced by footshocks, and reduced heart rate response. Cardiovascular response to stress in nephrectomised rats was restored by exogenous administration of a subpressor dose of Ang II. Our results demonstrate that in conscious rats cardiovascular response to footshocks is dependent on an active renin-angiotensin system and they indicate that endogenous Ang II supports the sympathetically mediated vasopressor response to footshocks.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr Ronald Smith from Dupont for his gift of losartan and to Ms Mariselis Salazar for her helpful assistance in the quantification of plasma catecholamines. This study was supported by grants CDCH PI-06–30–4267–98 from Universidad Central de Venezuela.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela

    A Israel

  2. School of Medicine Universidad Centroccidental “Lisandro Alvarado”, Barquisimeto, Venezuela

    B Sosa-Canache

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  1. A Israel
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  2. B Sosa-Canache
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Correspondence to A Israel.

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Israel, A., Sosa-Canache, B. Angiotensin II supports sympathetically mediated vasopressor response to footshock-stress. J Hum Hypertens 16 (Suppl 1), S84–S88 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001350

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