Increased sensitivity of neurons to angiotensin II in SHR as compared to WKY rats

Angiotensin II (ANG II)-sensitive septal neurons in the brain of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-sp) and of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were investigated for possible differences at receptor sites. ANG II, the competitive ANG II-antagonist saralasin, and acetylcholine (ACh), were applied microiontophoretically onto neurons of the lateral septal area. ANG II-evoked neuronal firing which was specifically inhibited by saralasin occurred at a significant lower threshold in SHR-sp (23%) and showed an extended postactivity (340%) as compared to the age-matched WKY controls. In contrast, the activity due to ACh remained similar in both strains.