Sodium chloride injections in the brain induce natriuresis and blood pressure responses sensitive to angiotensin ii at-1 receptors. Rohmeiss, Peter, Christian Beyer, Eleonore Nagy, Carsten Tsch[diaeresis]ope, Susanne H[diaeresis]ohle, Manfred Strauch, and Thomas Unger. Department of Pharmacology, University of Kiel and Department of Nephrology, Klinikum Mannheim*, University of Heidelberg, Germany
APStracts 2:0095F, 1995.
In the present study we tested the hypothesis that the natriuretic and pressor effects of intracerebroventriculary (i.c.v.) injected hypertonic saline involve a central angiotensinergic pathway. All experiments were performed in conscious Wistar rats. Bolus i.c.v. injections of hypertonic saline (0.19, 0.23, 0.30, 0.60 M; injection volume 5 l) induced a concentration-dependent increase of renal sodium excretion without affecting urinary flow. The increase in renal sodium excretion after the two highest saline concentrations was accompanied by significant increases in mean arterial blood pressure. Pretreatment with the angiotensin AT-1 receptor antagonist, losartan (5 g i.c.v.), reduced the natriuretic effect of 0.23 M and 0.30 M saline but did not affect the natriuresis induced by 0.60 M saline. The increase in mean arterial blood pressure after 0.30 M and 0.60 M saline i.c.v. was markedly attenuated by i.c.v. pretreatment with losartan. Our results demonstrate the involvement of a central angiotensinergic mechanism in the natriuretic and pressor responses to hypertonic saline. Beside the ANG II-mediated natriuresis, an additional natriuretic mechanism - independent of ANG II and associated with the saline-induced pressor effect - seems to be recruited with increasing concentrations of saline in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Received 21 December 1993; accepted in final form 16 May 1995.
APS Manuscript Number F455-3.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Renal Fluid Electrolyte
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on  6 July 1995.