Plasma renin and angiotensin in dehydrated and rehydrated rats

The role of the renin-angiotensin system in the stimulation and termination of dehydration-induced drinking was examined in the rat. Rats dehydrated for 48 h had significantly elevated renin, angiotensin II, plasma Na+ concentration, osmolality, and hematocrit when compared with replete controls. Although plasma Na+ concentration, osmolality, and hematocrit of dehydrated rats had returned to control replete levels by 2-4 h after the return of water, the plasma renin and angiotensin II levels exhibited a further increase on rehydration and remained significantly above dehydration levels for 2-4 h after the return of water. The levels of renin and angiotensin II in rehydrated rats were maintained at levels in excess of the dipsogenic threshold for circulating angiotensin II during the 8-h period after rehydration, indicating that termination of the drinking is not dependent on a reduction of circulating angiotensin II. Finally, rehydrated rats did not drink significantly more than replete controls in the 1- to 8-h postrehydration period despite plasma angiotensin II levels in excess of that of the dipsogenic threshold for angiotensin II, indicating that mechanisms exist which override the dipsogenic action of circulating angiotensin II.