Comparison of fast and slow pressor effects of angiotensin II in the conscious rat.

Female Wistar rats were infused intravenously with 5% dextrose for 3 days, then with angiotensin II (ANG II) in 5% dextrose at 20 ng . kg-1 . min-1 for 7 days, and finally with dextrose for 2.5 days. ANG II raised mean arterial pressure (MAP) gradually; by the 7th day it was 49.7 mmHg higher than during the dextrose control period in the same rats. Control rats were infused with dextrose for 12.5 days; MAP did not change. Plasma ANG II concentration was measured during infusion. In hypertensive rats on the 7th day of ANG II infusion, it was six times higher than in control rats infused with dextrose. Changes of blood pressure and plasma ANG II concentration were compared in further rats infused with much larger doses of ANG II. Rats receiving 270 ng . kg-1 . min-1 for 1 h had an almost maximal direct pressor response, MAP rising 45.3 mmHg and plasma ANG II rising 32-fold compared with controls. Thus, infusion of ANG II at low dose without direct pressor effect gradually raises blood pressure to a level similar to the maximum direct pressor effect produced by larger doses of ANG II. Sodium balance and food and water intakes were also measured and did not change during prolonged infusion of ANG II at 20 ng . kg-1 . min-1. Thus, the slow pressure effect of ANG II develops at a lower and more nearly physiological plasma concentration of the peptide than do the direct pressor effect and the effects on drinking, eating, and urinary sodium excretion.