LOSARTAN POTASSIUM, A NONPEPTIDE ANTAGONIST OF ANGIOTENSIN-II, CHRONICALLY ADMINISTERED PO DOES NOT READILY CROSS THE BLOOD-BRAIN-BARRIER

Recently several novel nonpeptide antagonists of angiotensin II (Ang II) have been identified. One of these, losartan potassium (formerly DuP 753) was developed as an orally active and highly selective antagonist for Ang II. As it is inhibited by sulfhydryl agents, it is specific for the AT1 receptor subtype. Since Ang II has both central and peripheral effects, we investigated whether losartan, given p.o. chronically, crosses the blood-brain barrier. The effects of chronic administration of losartan orally (p.o.) at 3 mg/kg per day for three days on the dipsogenic and pressor responses to a pre-established dose of Ang II i.v.t. (50 ng) were studied. Three series of experiments were carried out using conscious normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were injected with Ang II intraventricularly (i.v.t.) before and after treatment of losartan p.o. and blood pressure and drinking responses measured. The experiments established that 3 mg/kg losartan p.o. for 3 days antagonized pressor effects of Ang II intravenously (i.v.), but did not antagonize the pressor or drinking effects of Ang II i.v.t. Daily water intake significantly increased with chronic losartan p.o.. Since chronic administration of losartan p.o. was able to block the effects of Ang II i.v. but had no effect on Ang II i.v.t. we conclude that losartan potassium does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier using this dose regimen.