INHIBITION OF NO SYNTHESIS HAS AN ADDITIVE EFFECT ON HYPERTENSION INDUCED BY ACTH IN CONSCIOUS RATS

Abstract

1. The haemodynamic and metabolic effects of oral intake of ∼30 mg/kg per day N‐nitro‐l‐arginine (NOLA) were examined in sham and adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH, 0.5 mg/kg per day) treated conscious Sprague‐Dawley rats (n= 33). 2. NOLA administration produced an increase in systolic blood pressure of 24±6 mmHg (P < 0.001), but did not alter food or water intake, urine volume or electrolyte excretion in rats not treated with ACTH. 3. Compared with sham injection, ACTH‐treated rats demonstrated an increase in systolic blood pressure (water + sham, 3±1 mmHg; water + ACTH, 16±3 mmHg; P < 0.001), loss of bodyweight, and increases in water intake and urine volume. 4. The magnitude of the blood pressur..