[Effect of saralasin on plasma renin activity and arginine-vasopressin in patients with angiotensin-dependent hypertension (author's transl)].

A central stimulatory effect of angiotensin II (AII) on the secretion of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) has been described. The competitive blocker of AII, saralasin (SAR) has been used for diagnostic purposes in angiotensin-dependent hypertension. In addition SAR has a partially agnoistic effect. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate whether AVP-levels can be influenced during SAR-induced renin stimulation. In 9 patients with essential hypertension blood pressure dropped significantly under SAR (10 microgram/kg/min over a 30 min period). Before and after SAR plasma renin activity (PRA) and AVP were measured by RIA, SAR evoked significantly increments of PRA in all patients and of AVP in 6 patients. The increased serum concentrations of AVP following SAR may be explained either by the depressor effect of SAR, its diminished concentration at the central receptor, or a partial AII-agonistic effect.