Intracerebroventricular infusion of angiotensin II increases water and ethanol intake in rats

The influence of prolonged ingestion of ethanol on stimulation of water or ethanol intake by intracerebroventricular infusion of ANG II was evaluated in rats. Animals were maintained for 5-6 mo with either 10% ethanol solutio n or water as their only source of fluid. In both groups of rats, infusion of ANG II caused a large increase in water intake (7-fold) and a lesser inc rease in 10% ethanol intake (2-fold). The effect of ANG II on the volume of ethanol solution ingested, however, was inversely related to the concentra tion of the ethanol solution. As the concentration of ethanol solution was decreased, frequency and duration of drinking bouts increased. The intake o f sweetened 10% ethanol solution or commercially produced wine during infus ion of ANG II was similar to the intake of 10% ethanol and not related to t aste preference. In conclusion, chronic consumption of ethanol solution did not appear to adversely effect ANG II stimulation of water intake. The int ake of ethanol solution during infusion of ANG II was inhibited by a direct effect of ingested ethanol and/or by indirect effect from metabolized etha nol.