Angiotensin II reduces voluntary alcohol intake in the rat

The voluntary intake of alcohol has been shown to be attenuated by a variety of manipulations which increase activity in the renin-angiotensin system. In the present study we examined the effects of peripheral injections of the peptide angiotensin II on alcohol drinking. The peptide produced a dose-dependent decrease in alcohol intake with 20 micrograms/kg having little effect, 200 micrograms/kg reducing intake by approximately 50% and 1 mg/kg virtually abolishing all alcohol drinking. This decrease was not due to a peptide induced motor deficit, or state of sickness, and could also not be accounted for by the increased water intake, or by a change in pharmacokinetics and taste function. These data provide direct evidence that angiotensin II can modulate voluntary alcohol drinking. The possibility that the level of angiotensin II serves as a satiety signal in alcohol drinking is discussed.