Abstract
We investigated the role of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and the renin-angiotensin system as well as the effects of losartan in rats with aortocaval (AC) shunts. Right atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic pressures (LVEDP) were higher and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was lower in AC shunt animals than in their controls. AC shunt rats presented marked cardiac hypertrophy, decreased right atrial ANF concentration, and increased ventricular ANF content and concentration. Plasma ANF levels were elevated, and hematocrit was lower in AC shunt animals than in controls. Captopril or losartan treatment decreased MAP and returned LVEDP to sham-operated control values. A clear regression of cardiac hypertrophy was evident in both treated AC shunt groups, with plasma ANF levels tending to follow those in sham-operated rats. Plasma COOH-terminal ANF levels were decreased and urinary volume and hematocrit were increased in losartan-treated AC shunt animals. We conclude that chronic angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition and angiotension II receptor antagonism improved hemodynamic conditions, diminished water retention, reversed cardiac hypertrophy, and restored plasma and tissue ANF to more "normal" levels in rats with moderate high-output heart failure.
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