Sex-differences in circadian blood pressure variations in response to chronic angiotensin II infusion in rats

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic angiotensin II (AngII) infusion on the circadian rhythms of arterial blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and locomotor activity (ACT) in male and female rats. 2. Radiotelemetry probes were implanted into the aorta in male and female rats and allowed 10 days for recovery. Control levels for mean arterial pressure (MAP), HR and ACT were recorded for 3 days, then AngII (400 ng/kg per min s.c via osmotic minipump) or vehicle (saline) was infused for 10 days (n = 6 per group). Further recordings of MAP, HR and ACT were made during days 8, 9 and 10 of the infusion period. 3. In response to AngII infusion, night and day-time MAP increased significantly in female (18 +/- 2 mmHg; 28 +/- 7 mmHg) and male (27 +/- 4 mmHg; 30 +/- 3 mmHg) rats, respectively. The degree of elevation in MAP in response to AngII was attenuated in the females during the night period (P-sex < 0.05) but not the day (P-sex = 0.2). Control night-day differences in MAP, HR and ACT averaged 7 +/- 1 mmHg, 58 +/- 5 b.p.m. and 30 +/- 4 units in the female and 6 +/- 1 mmHg, 43 +/- 3 b.p.m. (P-sex < 0.05) and 14 +/- 2 units (P-sex < 0.05) in male rats, respectively. AngII infusion disrupted MAP circadian rhythm in female (-4 +/- 2 mmHg) and male rats (1 +/- 2 mmHg; P-treat < 0.01), but did not affect heart rate or locomotor activity. 4. In conclusion, sex differences in the circadian rhythm of heart rate and locomotor activity, but not arterial pressure exist under basal conditions. Circulating AngII modulated the circadian rhythm of MAP in female and male rats but not heart rate or locomotor activity. These findings have important implications for our understanding of circadian blood pressure rhythms in states of activation of the renin angiotensin system.