Cardiovascular effects of angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1–7) at the RVLM of trained normotensive rats

We evaluated the effect of physical training on the cardiovascular responses produced by angiotensin peptides at the rostroventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of non-anesthetized normotensive rats. The RVLM pressor effect induced by Ang II was significantly greater in trained rats, while, in contrast, the Ang-(1–7) pressor effect was significantly smaller in trained in comparison to sedentary rats. In addition, the RVLM microinjection of Losartan (AT 1 Ang II receptor antagonist) or A-779 (Ang-(1–7) receptor antagonist) induced opposite effect in trained rats. These results show that exercise training induces a differential RVLM responsiveness to Ang peptides, which was corroborated by the selective antagonists, indicating that the RVLM is a site in the central nervous system involved in the adaptive mechanisms triggered during exercise training.