Involvement of leukocyte and glucocorticoid in the acute-phase response of angiotensinogen

Plasma levels of angiotensinogen were significantly increased in rats following treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, no such acute-phase response in the plasma angiotensinogen level was induced in hypophysectomized rats. Implantation of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC), which had been collected from rats treated with i.p. injection of LPS and glycogen, into the peritoneal cavities of normal rats also caused elevation of plasma angiotensinogen levels. No significant changes in plasma levels of corticosterone were observed in rats receiving either LPS or LPS-stimulated PEC. These results indicate that the acute-phase response of angiotensinogen is mediated by leukocytes-derived cytokine, and glucocorticoid is essential for its stimulatory effect on the hepatic production of angiotensinogen.