Effect of subcutaneous injections of carbuterol on renin release and water intake in the rat.

The effect on renin release and water intake of subcutaneous injections of the beta-adrenergic agonist carbuterol has been studied in the rat. Carbuterol, as well as isoprenaline, elicited a clear dipsogenic effect, dose-dependent, apparently mediated by stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system. The dipsogenic potency of carbuterol, in comparison to that of isoprenaline, was weaker; the ratio of dipsogenic potency between the two substances proved to be very similar to that of their relative vasodepressor activities. These findings appear to be consistent with the hypothesis that beta 2-adrenergic receptors of vascular type are involved in renin release and water intake stimulation.