Activation of upregulated angiotensin II type 2 receptors decreases carotid pulse pressure in rats with suprarenal abdominal aortic coarctation.

Our aim was to determine whether angiotensin type 2 receptors (AT2R) are involved in the depression of carotid pulse pressure (PP) in rats with suprarenal aortic coarctation (SrC). We tested the effects of losartan, PD123319, and CGP42112 on PP in SrC and Sham-operated anesthetized rats. PP increased in SrC rats. Neither losartan nor PD123319 affected PP in SrC and Sham-operated rats. CGP42112 reduced PP, in SrC rats, combined with losartan. Moreover, PD123319 blocked this effect. AT2R protein increased in the thoracic aortas of SrC rats. Thus, upregulated AT2R stimulation by CGP42112 mediates depression of PP in rats under pressure overloading.