Hemodynamic Effects of an Angiotensin II Antagonist in Rabbits with Perinephritis Hypertension 1

Summary Rabbits with cellophane peri-nephritis and hypertension had lower cardiac output values than normotensive rabbits, and the elevated arterial pressure was maintained by pronounced increases in total peripheral resistance. Plasma renin activity was decreased in the perinephritic hypertensive rabbits compared to the values in normotensive controls. Infusion of the angi-otensin II antagonist, l-sarcosine-8-alanine angiotensin II, failed to lower the arterial pressure or to decrease the peripheral vascular resistance in the perinephritic hypertensive rabbits, which was a strong indication that angiotensin II was not involved in maintaining the hypertension. The excellent technical assistance of Ms. Omalou McBride and Mr. Jerry Benedict was sincerely appreciated. The authors are extremely grateful to Dr. Alan W. Castellion of Norwich Pharmacal Co. for providing the l-sarcosine-8-alanine angiotensin II (Saralasin) used in these experiments. The cellophane used in these studies was supplied by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. The indocyanin green dye (Cardio-green) was generously provided by Dr. T. R. Carski, of Hynson, Westcott and Dunning Pharmaceutical Laboratory. The anti-angiotensin I antiserum used in the radioim-munoassay for renin was provided by Dr. E. L. Cohen, of the University of Michigan School of Medicine.