Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Angiotensin II as a factor inhibiting the fear response

  • Published:
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Angiotensin II, if injected into the lateral ventricles of rabbits in doses of 0.015–0.15 μg, has an inhibitory action on the fear response evoked by electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, but in doses of 1–10 ng it blocks the inborn behavioral fear responses in rats. On microionophoretic application of angiotensin II to single neurons in the cerebral cortex and parafascicular complex of the thalamus, predominantly activation responses were observed. Predominance of inhibitory neuronal responses were noted in structures of the hypothalamus and mesencephalic reticular formation to angiotensin II. Responses of cortical and subcortical neurons to angiotensin II are potentiated after stimulation of the “fear center” in the ventromedial hypothalamus. The hypothesis was put forward that depression of the fear response after administration of angiotensin II is connected with changes in cortico-subcortical relations, during which ascending activating influences of the mesencephalic reticular formation on the cerebral cortex are abolished due to descending influences of cortical and thalamic neurons.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  1. B. Anderson, “Central mechanisms of regulation of the water balance,” Third Anokhin Lectures, Moscow, January, 1982 [in Russian], Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow (1982), pp. 5–9.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Yu. Z. Anisimov, “Microionophoretic study of mechanisms of the central action of the natural oligopeptides angiotensin II and bradykinin,” Author's Abstract of Candidate's Dissertation, Moscow (1982).

  3. V. I. Badikov, “Neuronal activity of the cerebral cortex under qualitatively different biological activating influences, Proceedings of the 22nd Conference on Problems in Higher Nervous Activity to Celebrate the 120th Anniversary of I. P. Pavlov's Birth [in Russian], Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Ryazan' (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  4. V. I. Badikov, A. E. Gabuniya, and E. A. Lomakina, “Effect of angiotensin II on behavioral and autonomic responses in rabbits,” Izv. Akad. Nauk Mold. SSR, No. 6, 49–52 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  5. A. V. Val'dman, É. É. Zvartau, and M. M. Kozlovskaya, The Psychopharmacology of Emotions [in Russian], Meditsina, Moscow (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  6. O. A. Gomazkov, “Physiologically active peptides and regulation of arterial pressure under normal and pathological conditions,” Vopr. Med. Khimii,30, No. 3, 79–86 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  7. V. G. Zilov, “Interaction between cortical and hypothalamic influences on single neurons of the mesencephalic reticular formation,” Fiziol. Zh. SSSR,55, No. 11, 1326–1333 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  8. M. Koldits, “Participation of angiotensin II in negative emotional responses,” Zh. Vyssh. Nerv. Deyat.,35, No. 2, 280–287 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  9. M. Koldits and E. V. Koplik, “Action of angiotensin II on neurons of the mesencephalic reticular formation of rats under conditions of acute emotional stress,” Neirokhimiya,3, No. 2, 219–220 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  10. A. N. Kravtsov and M. Koldits, “Sensitivity of neurons of the parafascicular complex of the rabbit thalamus to angiotensin II during stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus,” Byull. Éksp. Biol. Med.,97, No. 2, 172–174 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  11. I. P. Levshina, K. Gekht, M. Poppai, T. Schlegels, D. Kraints, and A. Wollenberger, “Angiotensin II as an endogenous Stressor,” Zh. Vyssh. Nerv. Deyat.,27, No. 2, 363–365 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  12. S. P. Narikashvili, “Influence of the cerebral cortex on thalamic nuclei and brainstem reticular formation,” in: Cortical Control of Activity of Subcortical Brain Formations [in Russian], Metsniereba, Tbilisi (1968), pp. 211–241.

    Google Scholar 

  13. M. O. Samoilov, V. P. Nikitin, D. G. Semenov, V. N. Maiorov, and V. V. Sherstnev, “Response of identified neurons of mollusks to some regulators of metabolism at different levels of oxygen supply,” Byull. Éksp. Biol. Med.,92, No. 9, 266–269 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  14. K. V. Sudakov, V. V. Sherstnev, and S. A. Osipovskii, “Direct action of angiotensin II on central neurons,” Byull Éksp. Biol. Med.,82, No. 7, 899–902 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  15. V. V. Sherstnev and V. I. Badikov, “Investigation of the role of angiotensin II in the formation of central mechanisms of emotionally motivated states,” in: Mechanisms of Activity of Brain Systems [in Russian], Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Gor'kii (1978), p. 153–155.

    Google Scholar 

  16. E. A. Yumatov and E. V. Bykova, “The role of angiotensin II in central neurochemical reactions during negative emotional states,” in: Problems in Physiology of the Hypothalalum [in Russian], No. 17, Vysshaya Shkola, Kiev (1983), p. 8–13.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Yu. Z. Anisimov (J. Z. Anissimov), J. I. Deleva, N. A. Nicolov, K. V. Sudakov, and V. V. Sherstnev, “neuronal sensitivity of some brain regions to angiotensin 2 in rabbits,” Agressology,21, No. 3, 171–175 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  18. D. Baranowska, J. J. Braszko and K. Wisniewski, “Effect of angiotensin 2 and vasopressin on acquisition and extinction of conditioned avoidance in rats,” Psychopharmacology,81, No. 3, 247–251 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  19. M. C. Boadle-Biber, “Increase in the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase from slices of rat brainstem incubated with angiotensin 2,” Biochem. Pharm.,28, No. 21, 3243–3246 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  20. J. Braszko and K. Wisniewski, “Effect of angiotensin on the central action of dopamine,” Pol. J. Pharmacol. Pharm.,28, No. 6, 667–672 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  21. D. G. Changaris, W. B. Severs and L. C. Keil, “Localization of angiotensin in rat brain,” J. Histochem. Cytochem.,26, No. 7, 593–607 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  22. D. Felix, P. Schelling, and H. L. Haas, “Angiotensin and single neurons,” in: Exp. Brain Res. Suppl.4, The Renin Angiotensin System in the Brain, ed. by D. Ganten, M. Printz, M. I. Phillips, and B. A. Scholkens, Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1982), pp. 255–269.

    Google Scholar 

  23. C. Fischer-Ferraro, V. E. Nahmod, D. J. Goldstein and S. Finkielman, “Angiotensin and renin in rat and dog brain,” J. Exp. Med.,133, No. 2, 353–361 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  24. J. T. Fitzimons, “Angiotensin stimulation of the central nervous system,” in: Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, Vol. 87, Springer-Verlag Berlin (1980), pp. 117–167.

    Google Scholar 

  25. K. Fuxe, D. Ganten, T. Hokfelt and P. Bolme, “Immunohistochemical evidence for the existence of angiotensin 2 containing nerve terminals in the brain and spinal cord of the rat,” Neurosci. Lett.,2, 229–234 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  26. K. Fuxe, K. Andersson, D. Ganten, T. Hokfelt and P. Eneroth, “Evidence for the existence of angiotensin 2-like immunoreactive central neuronal system and its interaction with the central catecholamine pathways,” in: Enzymatic Release of Vasoactive Peptides, ed. by F. Gross and H. G. Vogel, Raven Press, New York (1980), pp. 161–170.

    Google Scholar 

  27. D. Ganten, H. T. Ungar, and R. E. Lang, “The tissue renin-angiotensin systems: focus on brain angiotensin, adrenal gland and arterial wall,” Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, Theory and Practice, No. 8, 1099–1118 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  28. J. Haulica, G. Petresu, A. Stratone, D. Branisteanu, V. Rosce, C. Neamtu, and S. Slatineanu, “Possible functions of brain renin,” Exp. Brain Res., Suppl. 4, 335–352 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  29. W. R. Hess, “Hypothalamus und Thalamus, Exper. Documents,” Beitrage zum Physiologie des Hirnstammes, Vol. 3, Stuttgart (1956).

  30. R. W. Hunsperger and V. M. Bucher, “Affective behavior produced by electrical stimulation in the forebrain and brainstem of the cat,” in: Progr. Brain Res. (Amsterdam)27, 103–127 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  31. R. A. Nicoli and J. L. Barker, “Excitation of supraoptic neurosecretory cells by angiotensin 2,” Nature New Biol.,233, No. 40, 172–174 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  32. N. A. Nicolov, K. V. Sudakov, J. I. Deleva, V. I. Badikov, V. V. Sherstnev, and E. A. Yumatov, “Effect of angiotensin and bradykinin on neurons of the sensomotor cortex,” Exp. Brain Res., Suppl. 4, 270–283 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  33. M. Phillips, “Angiotensin in the brain, “ Neuroendocrinology,25, No. 6, 354–377 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  34. M. I. Phillips, J. Weyhenmeyer, D. Felix, D. Ganten and W. E. Hoffman, “Evidence for an endogenous brain renin-angiotensin system,” Federat. Proc.,38, No. 9, 2260–2266 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  35. D. Regoli, W. W. Park, and F. Rioux, “Pharmacology of angiotensin,” Pharmacol. Rev.,26, No. 2, 69–123 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  36. I. A. Reid and D. S. Ramsay, “The effects of intracerebroventricular administration of renin on drinking and blood pressure,” Endocrinology,97, No. 3, 536–542 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  37. B. A. Scholkens, W. Jung, W. Raseher, T. Ungar and D. Ganten, “Cardiovascular and humoral effects of endogenous brain angiotensin,” in: Exp. Brain Res., Suppl. 4, The Renin Angiotensin System of the Brain, ed. by D. Ganten, M. Pritz, M. I. Phillips, and B. A. Scholkens, Springer-Verlag Berlin (1982), pp. 297–310.

    Google Scholar 

  38. W. B. Severs and A. E. Daniels-Severs, “Effects of angiotensin on the central nervous system,” Pharm. Rev.,25, No. 3, 415–449 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  39. G. Simonnet, M. F. Giorguieff-Chesselet, A. Carayon, B. Bionlac, F. Cesselion, J. Glowinsky and J. D. Vincent, “Angiotensin II et systeme nigro-neostriatal,” J. Physiol. (Paris),77, No. 1, 71–79 (1931).

    Google Scholar 

  40. T. Suga, M. Suzuki and M. Suzuki, “Effects of angiotensin II on the medullary neurons and their sensitivity to acetylcholine and catecholamines,” Jap. J. Pharm.,29, No. 4, 541–552 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  41. J. G. Summy-Long, L. C. Keil, K. Deen, L. Rosella and W. B. Severs, “Endogenous opioid peptide inhibition of the central actions of angiotensin,” J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.,217, No. 3, 619–629 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  42. C. Sumners, M. I. Phillips, “Central injection of angiotensin II after catecholamine activity in rat brain,” Am. J. Phys.,244, No. 2, 257–263 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  43. J. M. Wayner, T. Ono and D. Nolley, “Effects of angiotensin II on central neurons,” Pharma. Biochem. Behav.,1, 679–691 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Physiology of Emotions, P. K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow

    K. V. Sudakov

Authors
  1. K. V. Sudakov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Translated from Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal SSSR imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 72, No. 6, pp. 713–722, June, 1986.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sudakov, K.V. Angiotensin II as a factor inhibiting the fear response. Neurosci Behav Physiol 17, 74–83 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01186811

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01186811

Key words

Search

Navigation