The effect of selective NaCl loading to the brain on the blood pressure regulation was examined in male Wistar rats. Hypertonic NaCl (0.8M, 1 microL/h) was infused for 7 days into the lateral ventricle (ICV) along with intravenous (IV) infusion of angiotensin II (AII) at a dose of 5.4 pmol/kg per minute. Although neither ICV hypertonic NaCl or IV AII infusion alone had any substantial pressor effect, concomitant administration of these resulted in a consistent and significant increase in the blood pressure on day 7 over the baseline value, amounting to 29 +/- 5 mm Hg (n = 9; P less than 0.001). Inasmuch as the increase in the BP was totally prevented by intraperitoneal injection of guanethidine (40 mg/day), hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system appears, at least in part, responsible for the BP elevation caused by the combination of ICV hypertonic NaCl and IV subpressor AII infusion.