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1. Rabbits were actively immunized against angiotensin II (AII). 2. Basal plasma aldosterone concentration was 0.058 ±0.027 pmol/ml (20.7±9.6 pg/ml) (mean±SD) in immunized and 0.056±0.021 pmol/ml (20.2±7.5 pg/ml) in control animals during suppression of adrenocorticotrophic hormone by dexamethasone. When the endogenous formation of AII was stimulated by frusemide, by haemorrhage or by feeding with low sodium diet, a significant increase of plasma aldosterone was observed with no difference between immunized and non-immunized animals. 3. In non-immune rabbits, the average mean arterial blood pressure rose 13 mmHg during the infusion of AII (5 pmol min-1 kg-1) and 27 mmHg during the infusion of 50 pmol min-1 kg-1. In contrast, there was no clear increase in blood pressure in the immunized animals. The blood pressure rose in immune animals (15 mmHg) and in non-immune animals (36 mmHg) during the infusion of 200 pmol min-1 kg-1 AII. Plasma aldosterone rose in all animals in response to each of the three infusions with no significant difference between the two groups. 4. It is concluded that the immunization against AII blocked only the pressor effect of the peptide but had no clear influence on the response of plasma aldosterone to increased AII. Differences between the affinities of the adrenal and vascular AII receptors may explain these findings.

1. The effect of infusions of equimolar doses of angiotensin II (AII) and of the angiotensin analogue Sar1-Ile8-angiotensin II on arterial blood pressure, plasma aldosterone and plasma renin activity were compared in normal anaesthetized dexamethasone suppressed dogs. 2. Angiotensin II induced a significant increase of blood pressure and of plasma aldosterone whereas plasma renin activity decreased. The blood pressure was only slightly affected by large doses of the analogue. Plasma aldosterone, however, increased and plasma renin activity decreased. These changes were significant but less pronounced than after the infusions of angiotensin II. Plasma aldosterone remained high and renin activity low for 40 min after the infusions of the analogue. 3. The results suggest a strong agonistic potency of Sar1-Ile8-angiotensin II at the adrenal and renal angiotensin receptors, and that it is almost ineffective at the vascular receptors. The inhibition of renin secretion by angiotensin seems not to be related to its vasoconstrictive activity.

1. The effects of infusions of equimolar doses of angiotensin II (AII) and of Des1-angiotensin II (heptapeptide) on plasma renin activity, blood pressure and plasma aldosterone were compared in normal anaesthetized dexamethasone-suppressed dogs. 2. Plasma renin activity was equally suppressed by both compounds. The increase in blood pressure induced by the heptapeptide averaged 43–62% of the increase during AII infusions. No significant differences in aldosterone increase were observed between AII and the heptapeptide. Plasma aldosterone, however, dropped significantly faster in heptapeptide-treated dogs after the end of the infusions. 3. Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II (saralasin, 400 pmol min—1 kg—1) suppressed plasma aldosterone that was stimulated by heptapeptide (20 pmol min—1 kg—1) completely. The same angiotensin antagonist had only a moderate effect on plasma aldosterone stimulated by AII. After stopping the antagonist infusion, plasma aldosterone rose significantly higher in dogs infused with AII than in those receiving the heptapeptide. 4. The results demonstrate differences between the effects of AII and the heptapeptide both on blood pressure and on plasma aldosterone. They do not support the hypothesis that the heptapeptide may be the main mediator of aldosterone secretion.