[Role of angiotensin II in the mechanisms of ethanol consumption regulation in rats].

The hypothalamohypophyseal and renin-angiotensin systems of rats were studied in health, during long-term alcoholization and formation of artificial alcohol motivation. It was disclosed that a single intracerebral administration of angiotensin-II had a long-term (for 1--2 weeks) inhibitory effect on alcohol consumption in rats. At the same time a decrease in the activity of the vasopressin-synthesizing neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus and Hering's bodies as well as compensatory activation of the peripheral parts of the renin-angiotensin system were demonstrated. Apparently, the inclusion of ethanol metabolites in the normal brain metabolism appreciably changes the role of angiotensin-II in hypothalamohypophyseal and renin-angiotensin system functions.