Stimulation of brain and aortic renin substrate by central administration of steroids in the rat.

The influence of central and peripheral injections of dexamethasone and 17 beta-oestradiol on plasma, brain and aortic renin substrate was studied in the rat. Whereas intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of these steroids raised renin substrate in plasma, brain and the aorta, intraventricular injection raised it only in the brain and aorta. Bilateral nephrectomy produced results equivalent to those observed following intraperitoneal administration of steroids. Dissociation of the plasma and tissue renin-substrate levels in response to central administration of steroids indicates local synthesis of this protein, possibly under central control.