The use of saralasin to evaluate the function of the brain renin-angiotensin system

The demonstration that the components required for the generation of angiotensin II are present in the brain has led to the proposal that there is a brain renin-angiotensin system. To test this hypothesis, experiments were performed to determine if biologically active amounts of angiotensin II are formed when renin is injected into the cerebral ventricles. The effects of central administration of agents known to block the peripheral renin-angiotensin system were also investigated. It was shown that intraventricular renin increased water intake, blood pressure and ADH secretion and that these effects were blocked by saralasin. These findings indicated an interaction between injected renin, brain angiotensinogen and converting enzyme, resulting in the formation of angiotensin II in physiologically active concentrations. However, these experiments did not demonstrate a role for endogenous brain renin activity. Central administration of saralasin in normal animals did not decrease water intake, blood pressure or ADH secretion. These studies thus failed to demonstrate a physiological role for the proposed brain renin-angiotensin system in controlling water balance and blood pressure.