Studies on the role of the pituitary in the control of atrial natriuretic factor secretion and sodium excretion

Recent work suggests that hypophysectomized (HYPOX) rats show low levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and an attenuated diuresis and natriuresis to blood volume expansion. The purpose of this was (i) to examine the effect of various hormone replacements on ANF and renal excretion in HYPOX rats and (ii) to compare the renal responses to exogenous ANF in intact and HYPOX rats. Groups of rats received subcutaneous pellet implant of either dexamethasone (DEX), thyroxine (T4), or a placebo. Approximately 1 week later, they were anesthetized and subjected to a 20% blood volume expansion. DEX rats had a higher mean arterial pressure than placebo-treated rats while both MAP and heart rate were higher in T4 rats. Only the DEX rat showed augmented renal responses to volume expansion while no group showed significant changes in plasma ANF concentration during volume expansion. In a second series, groups of HYPOX rats received renal capsular transplants of either six hemi-pituitaries or six pieces of muscle which markedly raised serum prolactin levels in the hemi-pituitary group. The hemi-pituitary rats showed a greater diuresis and natriuresis during volume expansion than the muscle group and also showed a transient increase in plasma ANF. In addition, groups of either intact or HYPOX rats were anesthetized and received intravenous bolus injections of ANF. Both intact and HYPOX rats showed a very similar diuresis and natriuresis to exogenous ANF. However, potassium excretion was markedly reduced in HYPOX rats. The results show that DEX augments the renal responses to volume expansion by some mechanism which does not involve changes in plasma ANF. Thyroxine increases mean arterial pressure and heart rate in HYPOX rats but does not augment the renal or ANF responses to volume expansion. Chronic elevations in prolactin increase the renal response to volume expansion. Finally, the kidneys of HYPOX rats are capable of increasing sodium and water output in response to large doses of exogenous ANF.     

Role of increased glomerular filtration rate in atrial natriuretic factor-induced natriuresis in the rat

One of the major renal hemodynamic actions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is to increase glomerular filtration rate (GFR). To assess the role of this effect on ANF-induced natriuresis (UNaV), diuresis (V) and kaliuresis (UKV) we performed late clamp experiments in six rats. After control periods (C), synthetic ANF (auriculin A) was infused i.v. (2 micrograms X min-1/kg body wt) throughout the experiment (150 min). After pre-clamp periods, the perfusion pressure of the left kidney (LK) was reduced to 75-80 mmHg. The right kidney (RK) served as a time control. In LK, before the late clamp, ANF increased (p less than 0.01) GFR from 1.5 +/- 0.1 to 1.8 +/- 0.1 ml/min, V from 17 +/- 5 to 53 +/- 5 microliters/min, and UNaV from 2.1 +/- 0.6 to 10.0 +/- 0.9 microEq/min. Almost identical increases occurred in the RK. The late clamp returned all parameters in LK to C values (p greater than 0.05): GFR to 1.4 +/- 0.1 ml/min, V to 6.3 +/- 1.2 microliter/min, and UNaV to 1.0 +/- 0.3 microEq/min. The late clamp also reversed the ANF-induced increase in UKV. In the RK, GFR (1.8 +/- 0.1 ml/min), V (38 +/- 4 microliter/min) and UNaV (7.8 +/- 0.8 microEq/min) remained elevated (p less than 0.01 vs. C) to the end of the experiment. These data demonstrate that upon return of GFR to control levels, the ANF-induced diuresis, natriuresis and kaliuresis is abolished. The results support our previous view that the increase in GFR together with a decrease in inner-medullary hypertonicity account wholly or in great part for the natriuretic action of ANF.     

Cardiorenal reflexes do not attenuate the renal effects of infused atriopeptin in conscious dogs.

Low-dose infusions of atriopeptin produce only a modest diuresis and natriuresis. However, these infusions also decrease atrial pressures, a change that has been postulated to elicit an antidiuretic and antinatriuretic reflex from cardiac receptors and thereby to attenuate the direct renal effects of atriopeptin. To determine whether the renal effects of intravenously administered atriopeptin might be attenuated by a cardiorenal reflex, we infused alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-hANP) into cardiac-denervated and sham-operated (normal) conscious dogs. Following a control period, alpha-hANP was infused into each dog at 12.5, 25, or 50 ng.kg-1.min-1 for 1 hr. Infusion of alpha-hANP at 50 ng.kg-1.min-1 produced similar decreases in left atrial pressure in both normal and cardiac-denervated dogs (peak changes, -1.6 +/- 0.8 vs -2.4 +/- 0.9 mm Hg, respectively). Increases in urine flow (peak changes, 0.13 +/- 0.05 vs 0.20 +/- 0.06 ml/min) and sodium excretion (peak changes, 56 +/- 22 vs 70 +/- 11 microEq/min) also were not different between groups. The lower doses of alpha-hANP also elicited renal and hemodynamic responses in the cardiac-denervated dogs that did not differ significantly from those in the normal dogs. These data indicate that the diuresis and natriuresis elicited by intravenously administered alpha-hANP are not attenuated by a cardiorenal reflex in conscious dogs.     

Renal haemodynamics and natriuretic responses to intravenous administration of diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in rat.

Effects of Ap4A and NAD--precursor of adenosine, on renal plasma flow (RPF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine excretion were determined in the anaesthetised rats. Infusion of Ap4A or NAD (i.v., bolus--1 micromol/kg followed by 10 nmol/min/kg) decreased RPF and GFR (by 30 and 40%, respectively). In spite of GFR reduction during Ap4A infusion, the significant increase in sodium excretion and urine flow was noticed: fractional sodium (FENa) and urine excretion (FEurine) rose 15-fold and 2.5-fold in comparison with the control value, respectively. In contrast to Ap4A, NAD-induced decrease in GFR was associated with parallel decrease in sodium and urine excretion, thus the FENa and FEurine did not significantly change. Pretreatment with adenosine deaminase (adenosine degrading enzyme, 2 U/min/kg) or theophylline (P1-receptors antagonist, 0.2 mmol/min/kg) ceased responses to NAD, whereas Ap4A-induced changes were not affected. Pre-treatment with suramin (P2-receptors antagonist, (i.v., bolus--12 mg/kg followed by 1.2 mg/min/kg) completely abolished the renal effects of Ap4A. We conclude that Ap4A may exert specific action on renal function. It acts different from NAD that modified renal function through its hydrolysis product--adenosine. Ap4A might reduce glomerular filtration rate and evoke natriuresis and diuresis, and its effects are probably mediated through stimulation of P2-receptors.     

Effect of acute and chronic renal denervation on renal function after release of unilateral ureteral obstruction in the rat.

The role of the renal nerves in determining renal function after relief of 24-h unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was studied using clearance techniques in anaesthetized rats. Acute renal denervation during the first 1--2 h after relief of UUO resulted in a significant increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), urine flow, and sodium and potassium excretion, changes which were not seen in the sham-denervated postobstructive kidney. Acute denervation of sham-operated normal kidneys caused a similar natriuresis and diuresis but with no change in GFR or RPF. Chronic renal denervation 4--5 days before UUO denervated postobstructive controls, while chronic denervation alone was associated with a significantly higher urine flow and sodium excretion rate from the denervated kidney. The effectiveness of renal denervation was confirmed by demonstrating marked depletion of tissue catecholamines in the denervated kidney. It was concluded that renal nerve activity plays a significant but not a major role in the functional changes present after relief of UUO. Chronic renal denervation did not protect against the functional effects of unilateral ureteral obstruction.     

Attenuated renal responses to atrial natriuretic factor in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

To determine whether the renal responses to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) are altered in the diabetic state, the diuretic and natriuretic responses to ANF (0.25 microgram.kg-1.min-1, i.v.) were measured in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic (DIA) rats. Urine flow and sodium excretion were measured before and after ANF from innervated and denervated kidneys in anesthetized (Inactin 0.1 g/kg, i.p.) control and DIA rats (Sprague-Dawley rats injected with vehicle or STZ 65 mg/kg, i.p., respectively, 2 weeks prior to the experiment). Blood glucose levels were significantly elevated in the DIA group compared with the control group. ANF produced a significantly blunted diuresis and natriuresis in DIA rats compared with control rats. In addition, reducing the hyperglycemia in DIA rats by treatment with insulin (third group) reversed the blunted urine flow and sodium excretion responses to ANF. This study demonstrates that (i) there is a blunted natriuresis and diuresis to ANF in the STZ-induced DIA rats, and (ii) restoring the glucose levels to normal by insulin treatment in the DIA rats normalized the renal responses to ANF.     

Renal effects of atrial natriuretic factor in the rats of different ages

Renal effects of an atrial natriuretic factor preparation were compared in 15, 28 and 66-day-old rats. This factor, prepared from atrial tissue of adult rats, was more effective in 28 and 66-day-old rats than in 15-day-old rats. There was a 6 fold increase of sodium excretion in 15-day-old rats and a 60 fold increase in 28-day-old rats. There was also a 15 fold increase in renal sodium excretion in 66-day-old rats receiving a higher dose (0.1 ml/animal). As indicated by the sodium potassium ratio, the increase in renal excretion of sodium was distinctly more pronounced than the increase in renal potassium excretion. In 15, 28 and 60-day-old rats, the increase of urine volume was 2 fold, 4 fold and 5 fold, respectively. The increase of fractional sodium excretion (FE) in rats receiving an atrial factor preparation was distinctly more pronounced than the increase of GFR. In all experiments, the preparation from ventricular tissue of the same animals was ineffective in producing natriuresis or diuresis.     

Role of sodium and water excretion in the antihypertensive effect of vasopressin in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Mean arterial pressure (mmHg (1 mmHg = 133.322 Pa)), sodium excretion rate (mumol.kg-1.min-1), and urine flow (microL.kg-1.min-1) were measured in conscious unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) before, during, and after a 3-h intravenous infusion of arginine vasopressin (20 ng.kg-1.min-1), an equipressor dose of phenylephrine, or an infusion of the vehicle. Cessation of the phenylephrine infusion was associated with a return of arterial pressure to preinfusion control values in both SHR and WKY. Cessation of the vasopressin infusion was also associated with a return of arterial pressure to preinfusion values in WKY. In contrast, in the SHR, arterial pressure fell from a preinfusion control level of 164 +/- 6.2 to 137 +/- 4 mmHg within 1 h of stopping the vasopressin infusion. Five hours after stopping the infusion, pressure was 134 +/- 3 mmHg (29 +/- 5 mmHg below preinfusion levels). Similar to the WKY, cessation of a vasopressin infusion was associated with a return of arterial pressure to preinfusion values in Sprague-Dawley rats. Thus, the failure to observe a hypotensive response in normotensive rats was not a peculiarity of the WKY strain. Sodium excretion rates increased during the infusions of vasopressin to a greater extent in SHR than in WKY. However, the natriuresis induced by phenylephrine was not significantly different from that generated by vasopressin in SHR, and in WKY, the natriuresis was greater for phenylephrine than for vasopressin. Urine output increased to a greater extent during the infusions of phenylephrine in both SHR and WKY than during vasopressin infusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of chronic infusion of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF 8-33) in conscious two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats

Conscious two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats were chronically infused during 7 days with synthetic ANF (8-33) (1 microgram/hr/rat) by means of osmotic minipumps. The initial blood pressure of 183 +/- 4 mmHg gradually decreased to 116 +/- 5 mmHg the last 2 days of infusion. Pressure diuresis returned to normal and pressure natriuresis was attenuated. PRA was significantly lower (1.81 +/- 0.41 AI ng/ml/hr) than in not treated hypertensive rats (8.56 +/- 3.75 AI ng/ml/hr). A partial regression in cardiac hypertrophy was observed in the treated group. We suggest that the hypotensive response to ANF may be mainly due to vasodilatation, but the possibility that the decrease in PRA may play a partial role in lowering blood pressure, cannot be excluded.     

Role of the paraventricular nucleus in renal excretory responses to acute volume expansion: role of nitric oxide

Acute volume expansion (VE) produces a suppression of renal sympathetic nerve discharge (RSND) resulting in diuresis and natriuresis. Recently, we have demonstrated that the endogenous nitric oxide (NO) system within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) produces a decrease in RSND. We hypothesized that endogenous NO in the PVN is involved in the suppression of RSND leading to diuretic and natriuretic responses to acute VE. To test this hypothesis, we first measured the VE-induced increase in renal sodium excretion and urine flow with and without blockade of NO, with microinjection of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 200 pmol in 200 nl), within the PVN of Inactin-anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. Acute VE produced significant increases in urine flow and sodium excretion, which were diminished in rats treated with L-NMMA within the PVN. This effect of NO blockade within the PVN on VE-induced diuresis and natriuresis was abolished by renal denervation. Consistent with these data, acute VE induced a decrease in RSND (52% of the baseline level), which was significantly blunted by prior administration of L-NMMA into the PVN (28% of the baseline level) induced by a comparable level of acute VE. Using the push-pull perfusion technique, we found that acute VE induced a significant increase in NOx concentration in the perfusate from the PVN region. Taken together, these results suggest that acute VE induces an increase in NO production within the PVN that leads to renal sympathoinhibition, resulting in diuresis and natriuresis. We conclude that NO within the PVN plays an important role in regulation of sodium and water excretions in the volume reflex via modulating renal sympathetic outflow.     

Tempol improves renal hemodynamics and pressure natriuresis in hyperthyroid rats

Hyperthyroidism in rats is associated with increased oxidative stress. These animals also show abnormal renal hemodynamics and an attenuated pressure-diuresis-natriuresis (PDN) response. We analyzed the role of oxidative stress as a mediator of these alterations by examining acute effects of tempol, a superoxide dismutase mimetic. The effects of increasing bolus doses of tempol (25-150 micromol/kg) on mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal vascular resistance (RVR), and cortical (CBF) and medullary (MBF) blood flow were studied in control and thyroxine (T4)-treated rats. In another experiment, tempol was infused at 150 micromol.kg(-1).h(-1) to analyze its effects on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and on PDN response in these animals. Tempol dose dependently decreased MAP and RVR and increased CBF and MBF in control and T4-treated rats, but the T4 group showed a greater responsiveness to tempol in all of these variables. The highest dose of tempol decreased RVR by 13.5 +/- 2.1 and 5.5 +/- 1.2 mmHg.ml(-1).min(-1) in hyperthyroid (P < 0.01) and control rats, respectively. GFR was not changed by tempol in controls but was significantly increased in the hyperthyroid group. Tempol did not change the absolute or fractional PDN responses of controls but significantly improved those of hyperthyroid rats, although without attaining normal values. Tempol increased the slopes of the relationship between renal perfusion pressure and natriuresis (T4+tempol: 0.17 +/- 0.05; T4: 0.09 +/- 0.03 microeq.min(-1).g(-1).mmHg(-1); P < 0.05) and reduced 8-isoprostane excretion in hyperthyroid rats. These results show that antioxidant treatment with tempol improves renal hemodynamic variables and PDN response in hyperthyroid rats, indicating the participation of an increased oxidative stress in these mechanisms.     

Four-hour atrial natriuretic peptide infusion in conscious rats: effects on urinary volume, sodium, and cyclic GMP

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is released from the cardiac atria in response to acute volume loads; when infused acutely ANP causes diuresis and natriuresis. Cyclic GMP (cGMP) appears to be the second messenger for ANP in the kidney. The role that ANP plays in the long-term regulation of salt and water balance is unclear, however, since resistance to ANP's natriuretic and diuretic activity develops during prolonged administration. The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship between the rate of cGMP excretion in response to ANP and the development of resistance to ANP's diuretic and natriuretic activity. Following a 30-min baseline period of infusion of Ringer's solution conscious rats received ANP at 15 micrograms/kg/hr (n = 6) or Ringer's alone (n = 5) for 240 min. ANP-infused rats had a significant diuresis and natriuresis during the first hour of infusion; urinary cGMP excretion also increased compared to baseline. By 120 min after initiating the infusion in ANP-rats urinary volume and sodium excretion had declined to values not significantly different from those of baseline or control. In contrast, urinary cGMP excretion remained elevated for the duration of the ANP infusion, whether compared to baseline values or the control group. Resistance to the diuretic and natriuretic activity of ANP is not a result of mechanisms that involve cGMP generation.     

Age differences in renal response to atrial natriuretic peptide in rabbits

Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the effect of exogenous ANP on renal function have been studied in newborn and adult rabbits. In order to investigate an age difference in responsiveness to ANP, we studied the renal effects of alpha-human ANP (1-28) administered at the same dose per kg body weight in adult and neonatal rabbits. Plasma basal ANP levels were similar in 18 newborn (4- to 11-day-old) compared to 7 adult rabbits (150 +/- 16 and 151 +/- 28 pg/ml, resp.). Eleven newborn and 11 adult rabbits were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. After a control period, each animal received an hANP loading dose (3 micrograms/kg i.v.), followed by an infusion of 0.3 micrograms/kg/min. Blood gases remained stable throughout the experiment in both groups. Mean blood pressure decreased in newborn (28.5 +/- 0.8 to 26.2 +/- 1.0 mmHg) and adult (92 +/- 3 to 84 +/- 3 mmHg) animals. Percent hANP-induced changes in renal functions in newborn and adult rabbits were, respectively: urine flow rate: -21 +/- 4% and +57 +/- 8%; urinary sodium excretion: +4 +/- 7% and +81 +/- 11%; glomerular filtration rate (GFR): -19 +/- 4% and -4 +/- 6%; renal blood flow (RBF): -22 +/- 4% and -11 +/- 5%. As expected, diuresis and natriuresis increased in adult rabbits. Failure of hANP to increase natriuresis and diuresis in newborn rabbits could be related to the marked decrease in GFR, receptor immaturity and/or interactions with other hormonal systems.     

Vascular and renal effects of dopamine during extracellular volume expansion: Role of nitric oxide pathway

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the possible role of NO-system activation in vascular and renal effects of the dopaminergic system and the probable interaction between both systems during acute volume expansion in rats. DESIGN AND METHODS: Expanded (10% bw) and non-expanded anaesthetized male Wistar rats were treated with haloperidol, a DA receptor antagonist (3 mg/kg bw, ip). Mean arterial pressure, diuresis, natriuresis, renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, nitrites and nitrates excretion (NOx) were determined. NADPH diaphorase activity was measured using a histochemistry technique in kidney, aorta and renal arteries. NOS activity in kidney and aorta from expanded and non-expanded animals was determined with L-[U14C]-arginine substrate, in basal conditions and after DA (1 microM) administration. RESULTS: The hypotensive effect of L-arg and hypertension induced by L-NAME were not modified by haloperidol. This blocker reverted the increase in diuresis, natriuresis and RPF induced by L-arg in both groups. Dopaminergic blockade induced a decrease in NOx excretion and in NADPH-diaphorase activity in glomeruli, proximal tubule and medullar collecting duct and in endothelium and vascular smooth muscle of renal arteries. DA induced an increase in NOS activity in renal medulla and cortex in both groups, but no changes in the aorta were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that renal DA would be associated with the renal response induced by NO during extracellular volume expansion. NO-system activation would be one of the mechanisms involved in renal DA activity during saline load, but NO appears not to be involved in DA vascular effects.     

Effect of head-out immersion on plasma atrial natriuretic factor in man

This study was conducted to examine the role of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in the development of diuresis and natriuresis in response to the head-out immersion in 35 degrees C water. Six male subjects were hydrated (0.5% body wt), sat for 1 hr in air (preimmersion), were immersed in water to the neck for 3 hr, and then sat for 1 hr in air (postimmersion). In another series they were similarly hydrated and then sat for 5 hr in air for the time control. Urine and venous blood samples were collected hourly for creatinine and electrolyte measurements. In addition, the concentration of ANF was determined in unextracted plasma by a radioimmunoassay. The pattern of electrolyte excretion was evaluated on the basis of fractional excretion of filtered load. In the time control series, urine flow and fractional excretion of Na and K remained low throughout the 5-hr experimental period. On the other hand, urine flow increased significantly from the preimmersion level of approximately 2 to approximately 7 ml/min during the first hour of immersion (P less than 0.05), after which it decreased to approximately 5 ml/min during the second hour of immersion (P less than 0.05) and to approximately 2 ml/min during the third hour of immersion. Fractional excretion of Na increased continuously from preimmersion level of approximately 1.0 to approximately 1.8% during the second and third hours of immersion (P less than 0.05) and then decreased to 1.2% during the 1-hr postimmersion period. The plasma ANF remained low (approximately 75 pg/ml) during the 5-hr time control period. In the immersion series, plasma ANF increased significantly from the preimmersion level of approximately 80 to approximately 120 pg/ml during the entire 3-hr immersion period and then returned to the preimmersion level during 1 hr postimmersion. These results indicate that the immersion diuresis and natriuresis are indeed associated with the increased ANF release. However, it can not be ascertained from the present study if the increased ANF contributes directly to these renal responses to immersion or in concert with other mediators.     

Relaxin-induced changes in renal sodium excretion in the anesthetized male rat

Pregnancy is associated with profound changes in renal hemodynamics and electrolyte handling. Relaxin, a hormone secreted by the corpus luteum, has been shown to induce pregnancy-like increases in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and alter osmoregulation in nonpregnant female and male rats. However, its effects on renal electrolyte handling are unknown. Accordingly, the influence of short (2 h)- and long-term (7 day) infusion of relaxin on renal function was determined in the male rat. Short term infusion of recombinant human relaxin (rhRLX) at 4 microg.h(-1).100 g body wt(-1) induced a significant increase in effective renal blood flow (ERBF) within 45 min, which peaked at 2 h of infusion (vehicle, n = 6, 2.1 +/- 0.4 vs. rhRLX, n = 7, 8.1 +/- 1.1 ml.min(-1).100 g body wt(-1), P < 0.01). GFR and urinary excretion of electrolytes were unaffected. After a 7-day infusion of rhRLX at 4 microg/h, ERBF (1.4 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.4 ml.min(-1).100 g body wt(-1), P < 0.05), urine flow rate (3.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 4.3 +/- 0.4 microl.min(-1).100 g body wt(-1), P < 0.05) and urinary sodium excretion (0.8 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.1 micromol.min(-1).100 g body wt(-1), P < 0.05) were significantly higher; plasma osmolality and sodium concentrations were lower in rhRLX-treated rats. These data show that long-term relaxin infusion induces a natriuresis and diuresis in the male rat. The mechanisms involved are unclear, but they do not involve changes in plasma aldosterone or atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations.     

Interaction between prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene D4 on the excretion of electrolytes by the dog kidney in vivo

Recent experiments indicate that prostaglandin E2 potentiates the vasodilatory properties of leukotrienes in the skin microcirculation. The present experiments were undertaken to study the effect of leukotriene D4 and prostaglandin E2 on renal hemodynamics and urinary electrolytes in the dog. Experiments were performed in three groups of anesthetized Mongrel dogs: the first group was studied under hydropenia, whereas the two remaining groups were studied during water diuresis with (Group 3) or without indomethacin (Group 2). LTD4 (100 ng/min) and PGE2 (3 ug/min) were infused in the left renal artery to minimize systemic effects of these compounds. LTD4 alone failed to influence urinary sodium excretion in all 3 groups. In Group 1, urinary sodium increased from 77 +/- 6 to 393 +/- 74 uEq/min during PGE2, and further increased to 511 +/- 52 uEq/min during LTD4 + PGE2. No change occurred in the contralateral right kidney. In this group, glomerular filtration as well as renal plasma flow were not statistically influenced. In Group 2, the same phenomenon was observed for urinary sodium. The combined infusion of LTD4 + PGE2 increased urinary sodium without significant changes in glomerular filtration and renal plasma flow. Finally, in Group 3, indomethacin was shown to reduce the natriuretic effects of LTD4 and PGE2: during PGE2 alone, urinary sodium increased from 90 +/- 14 to 260 +/- 66 uEq/min, and only rose from 80 +/- 10 to 175 +/- 19 uEq/min during the combined infusion of LTD4 and PGE2. In groups 2 and 3, free water clearance was utilized as an index of sodium chloride reabsorption in the thick ascending limb: this parameter increased from 2.35 +/- 0.25 to 4.70 +/- 0.30 ml/min, while urinary volume was increasing from 3.55 +/- 0.25 to 10.05 +/- 0.65 ml/min, during LTD4 + PGE2. Indomethacin, administered in Group 3, (3 mg/kg/hr) again abolished the effect of combined PGE2 + LTD4. These results indicate a potentiating effect of leukotriene D4 on the PGE2-induced natriuresis in the anesthetized dog. These phenomena occurred in the absence of significant changes in renal hemodynamics, therefore suggesting a direct tubular effect of these arachidonic acid metabolites. Finally, the water diuresis experiments suggest a proximal site of action of PGE2 and LTD4.     

A potent hypotensive factor in chicken left ventricle

Chicken artria and ventricles both have membrane-bound granules which resemble those containing atriopeptin (ANP) in mammals. However, nothing is known about the contents of the avian granules. A previous study in chickens showed that although extracts of whole chicken heart or synthetic rat ANP both caused profound hypotension, ANP caused both natriuresis and diuresis, while chicken heart extract did not. The present study sought to locate the region(s) of chicken heart containing the hypotensive activity, and to observe the effect on sodium and water excretion and blood pressure in rats. Acid extracts of either atrium, either ventricle, ventricular septum, skeletal muscle, and liver were identically prepared from chickens and rats. Extracts were adjusted to the same protein concentration and injected (0.15 ml/kg) into anesthetized Single Comb White Leghorn roosters. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the time for recovery were measured. The most potent extract from chicken hearts was from the left ventricle (-38 +/- 1 mm Hg, 149 +/- 9 sec to recover). All other extracts (including right ventricle) produced only small (10-20 mm Hg), short-lived (20-30 sec) decreases in MAP. In contrast, only rat atrial extracts evoked long-lasting hypotension (greater than 40 mm Hg, recovery time greater than 200 sec). A 30-min infusion of the most potent chicken extract (left ventricle, CLV) into rats produced a small but significant natriuresis and diuresis compared to the vehicle time control (P less than 0.05) and the hypotensive response to bolus injection was about one-third that seen in the chicken. The location of potent spasmolytic activity primarily in chicken left ventricle, the different avian renal responses to chicken heart extract and synthetic rat ANP (5), and the weak diuretic, natriuretic, and hypotensive effects of CLV extract in rats all suggest that the chicken heart substance may be different from mammalian ANP.     

Effects of atrial appendectomy on circulating atrial natriuretic factor during volume expansion in the rat

This study examined the changes in the circulating level of endogenous atrial natriuretic factor during diuresis and natriuresis produced by acute volume expansion in anesthetized rats with either bilateral atrial appendectomy (n = 9) or sham operation (n = 9). Following control measurements in the sham-operated rats, 1% body weight volume expansion with isotonic saline produced an increment in urinary sodium excretion of over 4 mueq/min (P less than 0.05) while urine volume increased by more than 20 microliter/min (P less than 0.05). These responses were associated with a significant increase in immunoreactive plasma atrial natriuretic factor from a baseline value of 82 +/- 10 pg/ml to a level of 120 +/- 14 pg/ml (P less than 0.05). In contrast, in the group of rats with bilateral atrial appendectomy an identical degree of volume expansion increased urinary sodium excretion and urine volume by only 0.61 mueq/min (P less than 0.05) and 3.07 microliter/min (P less than 0.05), respectively. In this group, immunoreactive plasma atrial natriuretic factor remained statistically unchanged from a control value of 70 +/- 12 pg/ml to a level of 82 +/- 16 pg/ml (P greater than 0.05). Comparison of the two groups indicates that the natriuresis, diuresis, and plasma atrial natriuretic factor levels during volume expansion were significantly reduced in the rats with bilateral atrial appendectomy. No differences in mean arterial pressure and heart rate were observed between the two groups. These data demonstrate that removal of both atrial appendages in the rat attenuated the release of atrial natriuretic factor during volume expansion; and this effect, in turn, was associated with a reduction in the natriuretic and diuretic responses.     

Renal function studies in an experimental model of papillary necrosis in the rat

Twenty four hours after i.v. injection of bromoethylamine-hydrobromide (BEA) in rats, a uniform papillary necrosis is observed. The present study investigates the renal functional and the papillary haemodynamics in response to acute volume expansion (12% of body weight) in this model. Renal function studies were performed in hydropenic and volume expanded sham- or BEA-injected rats. In hydropenic normal animals a GFR of 1.97 +/- 0.14 ml/min, an urinary osmolarity (UOsm) of 1 011 +/- 94.5 mOsm/kg and a fractional sodium excretion (FENa) of 0.18 +/- 0.026% were obtained. In contrast, BEA-treated hydropenic animals showed a lower GFR (1.16 +/- 0.14 ml/min), UOsm (469 +/- 30.31 mOsm/kg) and a higher FENa (0.37 +/- 0.06%). In volume expansion a similar UOsm and FENa were obtained in both groups. The papillary plasma flow (PPF) was measured in each of the experimental groups by the albumin accumulation technique. The mean value in hydropenic normal animals was 50.65 +/- 2.12 m 100 g-1 min-1 and increased to 66.02 +/- 2.00 ml 100 g-1 min-1 after volume expansion (P less than 0.001). In BEA rats the PPF was 58.86 +/- 2.33 ml 100 g-1 min-1 in hydropenia (P less than 0.01 vs. control animals) and remained unchanged after volume expansion. Thus, during hydropenia, BEA-induced papillary necrosis results with a salt wasting state and an urinary concentration defect. After volume expansion no disturbance in sodium excretion capacity was observed. These results are compatible with the nephron-heterogeneity concept in the regulation of sodium excretion. The histological lesions cannot be explained by a decreased renal papillary plasma flow.