Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and Na appetite : microbehavioral analysis and nycthemeral physiology

A marked nycthemeral rhythm in both the appetite for 0.3 M salt solution and components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis stimulated in Sprague-Dawley rats by chronic administration of enalapril is described. Continuous recording of water, salt, and food intakes shows that the sodium appetite is manifest as discrete bouts of salt ingestion in temporal proximity to meals and is partially independent of water bouts.