The current study demonstrated several novel findings including: (i) hypertensive responses and cardiac hypertrophy induced by high-salt intake in salt-sensitive hypertensive rats are associated with NO deficiency and neurotransmitter imbalance in the PVN; and (ii) a chronic increase in brain Ang-(1-7) ameliorates salt-sensitive hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy partly by elevating the NO level and restoring the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the PVN. Here, ANG is linked to cardiac hypertrophy.