Effects of antihypertensive drugs on ultrasound production and cardiovascular responses in 15-day-old rats.

When exposed to extreme cold or injected with the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine, infant rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). Based upon the cardiovascular changes that accompany these two manipulations, especially decreased venous return, it was hypothesized that USVs are the acoustic by-product of the abdominal compression reaction (ACR), a maneuver that increases venous return. If this hypothesis is correct, then other anithypertensive drugs that decrease venous return should evoke USVs.

Angiotensin II-induced drinking and pressor responses to central or systemic irbesartan and losartan.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) is a peptide hormone that is important for maintaining blood pressure and body fluid homeostasis. Two nonpeptide angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonists, irbesartan and losartan, were compared for their antidipsogenic and antihypertensive efficacy in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. ANG II-induced drinking and pressor responses were examined following central or systemic administration of irbesartan and losartan.