Angiotensin II augments sympathetically induced venoconstriction in man

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The constriction produced by a single deep breath was measured simultaneously in two adjacent hand veins in normal volunteers. One vein was infused with angio-tensin II (ANG II) while the other acted as a control. At a dose lower than that required to produce direct venous constriction (1 pmol/min), ANG II significantly augmented the constriction caused by a deep breath in eight subjects (P < 0.01). The same dose had no effect on the venoconstriction caused by infused noradrenaline (NA) in a further six subjects. It is concluded that ANG II at low doses may cause venoconstriction indirectly by augmenting sympathetically induced venous tone via a presynaptic mechanism. This observation may help to explain the apparent venodilating property of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in clinical situations where the renin-angiotensin system is stimulated.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: