Footshocks increases mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Systemic or intracerebroventricular (IVT) administration of losartan, a specific angiotensin AT 1 receptor antagonist, not only inhibited the pressor response to footshocks but resulted in vasodepression. Peripheral or IVT administration of PD 123319, a specific angiotensin AT 2 receptor antagonist, did not alter the haemodynamic response to footshocks. However, simultaneous blockade of angiotensin AT 1 and AT 2 receptors by combined systemic or central administration of losartan and PD 12319, eliminated the vasodepressor response to footshocks unmasked in losartan pretreated rats. Our data suggest that activation of peripheral or brain angiotensin AT 2 receptor mediated the vasodepressor response to footshocks in the presence

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Losartan, a nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist, was used to establish the role of brain AT1 angiotensin II receptor subtype on the natriuretic, antidiuretic, and dipsogenic actions of centrally administered renin. Intracerebroventricular administration of renin reduces urine volume and increases sodium excretion and water intake in conscious, male, hydrated rats. Losartan (3 or 10 mg/kg, sc) reduced the increased sodium excretion and totally inhibited the antidiuretic action induced by intracerebroventricular renin. When both renin and Losartan were given intracerebroventricularly, at the highest dose, there was a potent inhibition of the antidiuretic and natriuretic actions. Peripheral and central administration of the AT1 receptor blocker significantly lengthened the onset of drinking behavior and reduced the cumulative water intake observed after intracerebroventricular injection of renin. Our results strongly suggest that the brain AT1 receptor subtype mediates the physiologic actions of angiotensin II, such as drinking behavior, the increase in sodium excretion, and vasopressin release.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term administration of AT(1) angiotensin II receptor antagonists on the sympathetic response to a cold pressor test (CPT) in normotensive healthy volunteers. Eighty-two healthy volunteers were included in this double-blind placebo-controlled study. Blood pressure and heart rate were determined before and 175 minutes after oral administration of placebo, losartan (50 mg), valsartan (80 mg), or eprosartan (600 mg). Immediately, the subjects underwent a CPT and then the same hemodynamic parameters were measured. CPT increased arterial blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean) and heart rate in the placebo-treated group. Pretreatment with a single dose of losartan, valsartan, or eprosartan blunted CPT-induced pressor response but not heart rate increase. Our results demonstrate that endogenous angiotensin II, through stimulation of AT(1) receptor, supports sympathetic-mediated stress response in humans.

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