THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM AND NOCICEPTION IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

This study investigated the effects of captopril, hydralazine and losa rtan on the locomotor activity, tailflick and hot plate latencies in s pontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their genetic controls the Wi star-Kyoto rat (WKY). The increased hot plate latencies normally exhib ited by the spontaneously hypertensive rat were reduced or abolished b y captopril (95 mg/kg/day p.o.) and losartan (18 mg/kg/day p.o.) treat ment, but were unaffected by hydralazine (19 mg/kg/day p.o.). There we re no observable effects of any of the drugs on tailflick latencies or locomotor activity. The results highlight a potential role for angiot ensin II in analgesia that is independent of blood pressure change.