Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vivo the role of polyamines in the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). α-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) which inhibits ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine synthesis was given in drinking water and through intraperitoneal administration to Sprague-Dawley rats. Carotid artery was cannulated for collection of blood samples and measurement of blood pressure following the administration of arginine-vasopressin (AVP). Analysis of polyamines in cardiac tissue indicated that DFMO treatment decreased contents of putrescine and spermidine in cardiac tissue by 80% and 48%, respectively. Quantitation of ANP in plasma by radioimmunoassay indicated that both basal and stimulated levels of ANP in DFMO-treated animals were 21.5% and 50% of those in control rats. The administration of putrescine restored the levels of basal and AVP-stimulated levels of ANP in plasma which confirmed that DFMO effect on ANP secretion occurred specifically through the polyamine pathway.
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