Metabolic Consequences of Deoxycorticosterone Acetate (DOCA)-Salt in Mice

Chronic peripheral delivery of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) combined with a high-sodium diet is a classic model of low-renin hypertension. DOCA salt has previously been demonstrated to be dependent upon angiotensinergic activity in the brain. We report that male C57BL/6J mice treated with DOCA and a high-sodium diet exhibited elevated metabolic rates. Treating the mice with the direct vasodilator, hydralazine did not have an effect on metabolic rate. Intracerebroventricular infusion of the angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist, Losartan did attenuate the metabolic rate as well as increased adiposity. This data documents sound brain-angiotensin-dependent metabolic consequences of DOCA-salt in mice.