Angiotensin-induced hypertension in conscious dogs: biochemical parameters and baroreceptor reflex

The effects of a continuous iv infusion (osmotic minipumps) of angiotensin II (80 ng . kg-1 . min-1) and isoprenaline (10 ng . kg-1 . min-1) lasting 28 days were studied in six normotensive, conscious dogs. The parameters measured were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, levels of angiotensin II, renin activity, aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone in plasma, baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and body weight. The treatment resulted in an approximately sevenfold increase in plasma angiotensin II level from 62.9 +/- 24.5 pg . ml-1 to 455.3 +/- 95.6 pg . ml-1. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, measured for the first time 2 days after implanting the minipumps, were markedly increased throughout the infusion period (pretreatment value: 123.8 +/- 5.3/68.3 +/- 3.8 mmHg; after 2 days: 159.8 +/- 12.0/100.5 +/- 9.8 mmHg; after 28 days: 159.8 +/- 7.1/98.3 +/- 6.4 mmHg, whereas the heart rate remained unchanged due to the combined effects of angiotensin II and the concomitantly given isoprenaline. A high correlation was found between angiotensin II level in plasma and mean arterial blood pressure (r = 0.846; p less than 0.001). Furthermore, plasma renin activity was markedly suppressed by the treatment, and aldosterone levels rose. Plasma antidiuretic hormone levels were found to be unchanged at the chosen sampling time. A decrease in baroreceptor reflex sensitivity accompanied the development of the hypertensive state. There was also a loss of body weight during the infusion of angiotensin II and isoprenaline. The data provide evidence for the usefulness of the presented experimental protocol as an alternative model of arterial hypertension in chronically instrumented, conscious dogs.