The effects of central and peripheral angiotensin on hypertension and nociception in rats
Abstract
Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) rats have been reported to have decreased sensitivity to pain, but as yet a mechanism has not been identified. This study investigated the effects of subcutaneous and intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of angiotensin II on blood pressure, locomotor activity, and tailflick and hot plate latencies in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and outbred Wistar rat. Peripheral but not central administration of angiotensin II (567 micrograms/kg/day) increased hot plate latencies in WKY and Wistar rats to a level equivalent to that observed in the SHR. Peripheral administration of norepinephrine (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) to WKYs increased blood pressure but had no effect on hotplate latency. ICV administration of losartan (1 & 3 mg/kg/day) to SHRs had no effect on blood pressure or nociception. The results indicate that angiotensin II has a role in the altered pain perception observed in the SHR and that its site of action is peripheral.
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Antihypertensive Agents: Mechanisms of Action
Antihypertensive drugs are used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) which aims to prevent the complications of high blood pressure, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Discover the latest research on antihypertensive drugs and their mechanism of action here.