Centrally mediated increased sympathetic activity is not important in the genesis of ACTH-induced hypertension in sheep

Abstract

1. Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) administration to sheep produces a rapid adrenally dependent hypertension which is maximal after 3 days and associated with increased cardiac output (CO) and heart rate (HR), while calculated total peripheral resistance remains unchanged. 2. This study investigated the proposal that a centrally mediated increase in sympathetic activity is important in the development of ACTH-induced hypertension. 3. Concomitant intravenous infusions of either clonidine (60 micrograms/kg per day) or methyldopa (60 mg/kg per day) with ACTH (5 micrograms/kg per day) failed to inhibit the increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) observed with ACTH. 4. In a separate experiment clonidine abolished the increase in CO and HR but not the pressor response associated with ACTH administration. 5. These results do not support a role for centrally mediated increase in sympathetic activity in the genesis of ACTH-induced hypertension.