The influence of candesartan and PD123319 on responses to angiotensin II in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat

The effects of the AT(1) and AT(2) receptor blockers candesartan and PD1233 19 on hemodynamic responses to angiotensin II (AngII) were investigated in the anesthetized rat. Injections of AngII caused dose-related increases in systemic arterial and in hindquarters perfusion pressure that were reduced by candesartan. The inhibitory effects of candesartan were insurmountable, and a vasodepressor or vasodilator response to AngII was not unmasked. The AT(2) receptor antagonist PD123319 had no effect on increases in systemic a rterial and hindquarters perfusion pressure in response to AngII. The prese nt results suggest that presser responses to AngII are mediated by the acti vation of AT(1) receptors, and that AT(2) receptors do not appear to modula te hemodynamic responses to AngII in the anesthetized rat.