The role of the angiotensin II system within the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) in central cardiovascular control was investigated by local microinjections of angiotensin II and the angiotensin II receptor antagonist saralasin. Microinjections of 1 ng angiotensin II into the NTS resulted in a monophasic depressor response (-7.3 +/- 1.7 mm Hg), while higher doses were characterized by a biphasic response, with an initial decrease followed by a subsequent increase in blood pressure (10 ng: -4.7 +/- 1.3/+7.9 +/- 1.1 and 100 ng: -2.4 +/- 1.2/+7.5 +/- 1.2 mm Hg). Heart rate decreased significantly following microinjections of 1 and 10 ng angiotensin II (-27 +/- 5.0 and -15 +/- 5.9 bpm), while with 100 ng angiotensin II there was no significant effect on heart rate. Prior i.v. administration of atropine (1 mg/kg) abolished the bradycardia, but did not significantly affect the blood pressure response. Microinjections of saralasin into the NTS elicited a dose-dependent pressor response (10 ng: 6.0 +/- 1.5 mm Hg; 100 ng: 16.8 +/- 3.4 mm Hg) and tachycardia (10 ng: 5 +/- 3.2 bpm; 100 ng: 17 +/- 4.4 bpm). Our data support the hypothesis that angiotensin II acts on specific receptors within the NTS to modulate peripheral cardiovascular responses. The cardiovascular effects elicited by microinjections of the peptide exhibit complicated dose-response relationships. The effects on heart rate, but not on blood pressure, appear to be mediated by parasympathetic activation.