Hemodynamic effects of angiotensin II and the influence of angiotensin receptor antagonists in pithed rabbits

We investigated the cardiovascular effects of angiotensin II (AII) and the influences of four Angiotensin Receptor antagonists: losartan, PD123177, BIBS 39, and BIBS 222 in the pithed rabbit preparation. AII (0.03-10 nmol/kg) elicited a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure (BP), left ventricular pressure (LVP), LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), DP/dtmax, and heart rate (HR). The maximal hypertensive effect of AII is comparable to that of norepinephrine (NE), but its effects on LVEDP and HR are weaker than those of NE. On a molar base, AII is approximately 27 times more potent than NE. Propranolol (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) did not significantly influence the AII-induced increase in diastolic BP (DBP) and LVEDP, but it abolished AII-induced positive chronotropic effects over the entire dose range of angiotensin AII studied. Losartan, but not PD123177, shifted the dose-response curves for AII to the right in a parallel manner. BIBS 39 and BIBS 222 also caused rightward shifts of the AII dose-response curve. These experiments indicate that in propranolol-treated pithed rabbits AII causes vasoconstrictor effects in both resistance vessels and in the venous system, which are both mediated by AT1- but not by AT2-receptors. The AII-induced positive chronotropic effect is an indirect action mediated by the stimulation of postsynaptic beta 1-adrenoceptors. BIBS 39 and BIBS 222, two new nonpeptide Angiotensin Receptor blockers that have affinity for both AT1- and AT2-receptors are also potent antagonists of the cardiovascular effects of AII in pithed rabbits.