Angiotensin III-induced dipsogenic and pressor responses in rodents

Subcutaneous injections of [des-Asp1]-angiotensin I [( des-Asp1]-AI), angiotensin II (AII), and angiotensin III (AIII) induced drinking in the laboratory rat and the South American rodent Octodon degus, but not in the gerbil. In a second experiment, pretreatment with captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, prevented the endogenous conversion of subcutaneously injected [des-Asp1]-AI to AIII and prevented drinking in rats and degus. The pharmacological artifact of hypovolemia caused by angiotensin-induced increases in vascular permeability was not observed in members of these species. In a final experiment blood pressure changes resulting from subcutaneous injections of AII and AIII in rats and gerbils were measured. Significant pressor elevations were seen following the administration of both analogues, although AII was more potent. These results demonstrate that AIII is dipsogenic in rats and degus and serves as a pressor agent in rats and gerbils. No ready explanation is available for the gerbil's relative lack of dipsogenicity to the presently tested angiotensins.