Pressor responses to central hypertonic NaCl stimulation in conscious turkeys

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the possible involvement of the central renin-angiotensin system in the pressor response to the intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of hypertonic NaCl in conscious turkeys. The icv injection was accomplished via a stereotaxically implanted stainless steel guide cannula in the lateral cerebral ventricle. The arterial blood pressure (AP) of the turkey was measured by means of a PE catheter in the left brachial artery. The icv administration of hypertonic NaCl caused a dose-dependent increase of AP. The mean AP increases due to 10-microliter icv injections of 0.9, 3.6, and 7.2% NaCl were 1.4 +/- 1.4, 18.1 +/- 3.0, and 31.2 +/- 3.2 (SE) mmHg, respectively. These changes were statistically significant (P less than 0.001). The icv administration of captopril, [Sar1, Ile8]angiotensin II, or pentobarbital sodium markedly reduced the pressor response to the icv injection of hypertonic 7.2% NaCl. Blockade of central adrenergic receptors with phentolamine and propranolol was without effect. These results support the contention that the central renin-angiotensin system may directly contribute to pressor responses induced by central hypertonic NaCl stimulation.