Role of the sympathetic nervous system in the onset of hypertension in the rat: the effect of 6-OH-dopamine.

1. The effect of chemical sympathectomy with 6-OH-dopamine (6-OHDA) on the onset of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH)-induced hypertension was examined in Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 23). 2. 6-OHDA injection produced a fall in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from 100 +/- 5 mmHg control to 74 +/- 4 mmHg post-6-OHDA Treatment Day 1 (P less than 0.001), but did not alter food or water intake, urine volume or electrolyte excretion. 3. Compared with sham injection, ACTH-treated rats showed an increase in blood pressure (sham: 98 +/- 7 mmHg; ACTH: 123 +/- 9 mmHg on Treatment Day 10; P less than 0.01), loss of bodyweight, and increases in water intake and urine volume. 4. The magnitude of the blood pressure rise on ACTH was greater in 6-OHDA-treated rats than in intact control rats. Metabolic changes were similar. 5. Chemical sympathectomy with 6-OHDA did not delay or block the onset of ACTH hypertension in the rat.