Possible contribution of brain angiotensin III to ingestive behaviors in baboons

Recent experiments with specific aminopeptidase inhibitors in rats have str engthened earlier proposals that ANG III may be an important regulatory pep tide in the brain. Central mechanisms regulating blood pressure, ingestive behaviors, and vasopressin release could be involved. Arguments in favor of a role for ANG III depend, in part, on the efficacy of ANG III as an agoni st. These first studies in primates tested whether ANG III stimulates inges tive behaviors in baboons. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of ANG I II were as potent as ANG II in stimulating water drinking and intake of NaC l solution. On the basis of this criterion and consistent with findings in rats, ANG III could be a main effector peptide in the regulation of ingesti ve behaviors in a primate.