Intranasal angiotensin II directly influences central nervous regulation of blood pressure

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of Angiotensin II in the context of low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension, published as a controlled clinical trial.

The present study investigated whether intranasal administration of angiotensin II (ANG II) affects central nervous functions of cardiovascular control in a different way from intravenously administered ANG II.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 12 men were involved.

By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were adults, men only.

In a balanced cross-over design 12 healthy men were treated with ANG II intravenously (2.5 microg), ANG II intranasally (400 microg), and placebo.

How the Study Was Run

In design terms this was a placebo-controlled and crossover study.

A placebo (an inactive look-alike) gave the Angiotensin II group a baseline to be compared against.

In the crossover set-up each of the men took both Angiotensin II and the comparison in turn, acting as their own control.

Angiotensin II, vasopressin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine plasma levels were assessed every 10 min; blood pressure, heart rate, and systemic vascular resistance were measured by a Dinamap, and by continuous, noninvasive body plethysmography.

Also, feelings of activation and mood were measured.

What Was Measured

PubMed files the paper under topics including Angiotensin II, Blood Pressure, Brain, Catecholamines, Hemodynamics and Vasopressins.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a placebo-controlled and crossover study of Angiotensin II in 12 men in people with low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 1998 (American journal of hypertension), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Angiotensin II compound page, Low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension research.