Losartan improves baroreflex control of heart rate of coarcted hypertensive rats

CLAUDIA M. SANTOS, VERA PONTIERI, MOACIR LEOMIL NETO, AND LISETE C. MICHELINI Am.J.Physiol. 269 (Heart Circ. PhysioZ. 38): H812-H818,1995 They wanted to determine the role of angiotensin II in control of HR and impaired baroreflex control of HR during coarcted hypertension. They measured blood pressure and HR along with assessing plasma renin activity. in sham and coarcted hypertension. They gave losartan and captopril into the lateral ventricle and also gave it orally. They found that losartan given orally and intracerebroventricular helped improved reflex HR responses. However, captopril did have a significant effect on reflex and basal HR. These data suggest that Ang II type 1 receptors in the systemic is playing a role in mediating the control of HR in coarcted hypertension and that antagonism of the rereceptor leads to normalization of HR.-MD