Role of brain angiotensin in cardiovascular regulation

The brain is one of the organs where an intrinsic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been described. Stimulation of circumventricular or brainstem angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors engenders a distinct pattern of cardiovascular, endocrine, and behavioral responses featuring blood pressure increase, attenuation of the baroreceptor reflex, drinking, release of pituitary hormones such as vasopressin, oxytocin, and ACTH, and natriuresis. In contrast to most of the other central actions of Ang II, the natriuretic effect cannot be elicited by Ang II as a circulating hormone. Recently, we have shown that stimulation of Ang II AT-1 receptors in the circumventricular organs causes a selective release of norepinephrine (NE) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and in the supraoptic nucleus (SON). As vasopressin is also released from the PVN and SON, it is possible that the Ang II-NE interaction is involved in the release of vasopressin, thereby contributing to central blood pressure regulation and volume control. Finally, a substantial body of results suggests that an overactivity of the brain renin-angiotensin system is one of the contributors to genetic hypertension. However, this idea needs further confirmation.