Stress and brain angiotensin II receptors.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) has been recognized recently as one of the stress hormones that participate in various stress-induced responses, including sympathetic (pressor, tachycardiac, and hyperthermic) and neuroendocrine responses. Brain ANG II receptors have been identified in many brain regions involved in the stress responses. During stress-exposure, ANG II increases in the plasma and in the brain. Central administration of ANG II induces stress responses, whereas central blockade of ANG II receptors results in the inhibition of the sympathetic and neuroendocrine responses to stress. All these findings indicate that ANG II and its receptors contribute to the development of various sympathetic and neuroendocrine responses during stress exposure. This review focuses on the role of brain ANG II receptors in the stress-induced responses.