Angiotensin II potentiates ACTH-stimulated adrenal androgen secretion.

Several lines of evidence in animal and human studies, including measurements of elevated adrenal androgens in salt wasting syndromes suggest that adrenal androgen levels may in part be regulated by angiotensin II. This possibility was tested directly by measurement of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) in canine adrenal cell suspensions after addition of angiotensin II and ACTH, separately and together. Minimal cortisol and no DHA stimulation was obtained using 4 x 10(-10) to 4 x 10(-5) M concentrations of angiotensin II alone.