Effect of eprosartan on the sympathetic response to cold pressor test in healthy volunteers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term administration of the AT1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist, eprosartan, on the sympathetic response to cold pressor test (CPT) in normotensive healthy volunteers. Sixty-nine healthy volunteers were included in this double-blind placebo-controlled study. Blood pressure and heart rate were determined before and 175 min after oral administration of placebo, losartan (50 mg) or eprosartan (600 mg). Immediately, the subjects underwent CPT and then the same hemodynamic variables were measured. CPT increased arterial blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean) and HR in placebo-treated group. Pretreatment with a single dose of losartan or eprosartan blunted CPT-induced pressor response, but not the rise in heart rate. Our results demonstrate that endogenous angiotensin II, through stimulation of AT1 receptor, supports sympathetic mediated stress-response in humans.