Water and salt consumption and suppression of angiotensin-induced thirst in rats after carotid glomectomy

Carotid glomectomy in rats reduced daily water consumption and increased daily consumption of NaCl solution. Sham operation did not modify water and salt consumption. Intraperitoneal injection of angiotensin-II did not stimulate drinking motivation in the majority of rats subjected to carotid glomectomy. Injection of angiotensin-II to sham-operated and intact animals induced active consumption of both fluids during one hour. These results attest to the involvement of the carotid body in the regulation of consumption of water and sodium ions (the main elements of osmotic blood pressure) and the involvement of angiotensin-sensitive receptors of carotid body cells in the formation of thirst and salt appetite motivation, regulated by the renin-angiotensin system. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2004.