ROLE OF BRAIN ANGIOTENSIN IN THIRST AND SODIUM APPETITE OF RATS

The role of brain angiotensin II (ANG II) in water, Na and food intake of rats was studied. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion (100 mu g /h) of the non-peptide ANG II receptor antagonist losartan (type 1), b ut not PD123319 (type 2), completely blocked water intake caused by IC V infusion of ANG II at 50 ng/h. Following food deprivation, food inta ke was reduced by PD123319 and associated water intake was decreased b y losartan or PD123319. Neither water intake after water deprivation n or Na intake after Na depletion was altered by losartan or PD123319. I n conclusion, evidence was consistent with a role for brain ANG II in both food and water intake after food deprivation but not in thirst su bsequent to water deprivation or Na intake after Na depletion alone. ( C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.