Separation of peripheral and central cardiovascular actions of angiotensin II

Abstract

The pressor and vasoconstrictor action of angiotensin II (ANG II) is considered to be caused by a combination of its direct and indirect vascular effects, the latter mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the direct and indirect actions of ANG II contribute to its pressor and vascular effects. Blood pressure, cutaneous vascular, and plasma norepinephrine responses to intravenous ANG II were measured in conscious rabbits before and after inhibition of central sympathetic outflow with intravenous and intracisternal clonidine and after ganglionic blockade with intravenous pentolinium. Intravenous ANG II caused a similar dose-re..