Role of angiotensin in the salt-hypertension of rats

Summary Hypertension was induced in uninephrectomized rats by NaCl 0.9% drinking and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) administration for 6 weeks. Plasma renin activity was markedly reduced but not suppressed. Renal renin concentration and total renal renin content were moderately reduced. Intravenous injection of 0.2 ml of antiangiotensin plasma resulted in transitory hypotension both in salt and DOCA-treated rats, and in normotensive control rats. It is concluded that angiotensin participates in the maintenance of blood pressure in salthypertensive rats as well as in normal animals.This work was supported by grant 67-00-517 from D.G.R.S.T. (Délégation Générale à la Recherche Scientifique et Technique). The authors wish to thank Miss colette Innocenzi and Miss Sonia Culot for technical assistance.