Significance of the Brain Renin—Angiotensin System in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
1. The renin inhibitor N-acetyl-pepstatin was infused for 14 days or 5 days into the cerebral ventricular system of young and adult spontaneously hypertensive rats respectively. 2. The blood pressure and heart rate of the young animals was significantly lower as a result of this treatment, whereas the pressure of the adult animals tended to decrease. 3. The mechanism involved in the hypotensive effect of N-acetyl-pepstatin appeared to be independent of the peripheral renin-angiotensin system. The possible involvement of a decreased sympathetic outflow is suggested. 4. The present data indicate that the brain renin-angiotensin system contributes to the development of hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.