Human Atrial Natriuretic Factor Research Articles

Inhibition of endopeptidase EC 24.11 in humans. Renal and endocrine effects.

The effects of an orally active inhibitor (UK 79300) of the neutral metalloendopeptidase EC 3.4.24.11 were investigated in six healthy male volunteers maintained on a constant diet (150 mmol sodium/day and 80 mmol potassium/day). Subjects were studied in a random order, single-blind study on two occasions, each 48 hours in length, when they were given UK 79300 (25 or 50 mg p.o.) or placebo at 12-hour intervals (each agent for 24 hours). The endopeptidase inhibitor enhanced plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic factor in association with suppression of both plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentrations. Twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of sodium was doubled by UK 79300, and the urinary excretion rates of phosphorus, atrial natriuretic factor immunoreactivity, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate were also significantly enhanced, whereas urinary aldosterone excretion was halved. The profile of biological effects closely paralleled those previously reported with low dose infusions of atrial natriuretic factor in humans and animals. Therapeutic trials of such inhibitors are now indicated for hypertension or heart failure together with further studies to clarify the underlying mechanisms of action.

Increased secretion of erythropoietin in human renal carcinoma cells in response to atrial natriuretic factor

The present studies were undertaken to assess the effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on erythropoietin (Ep) secretion in Ep-producing renal carcinoma (RC) cells using a sensitive radioimmunoassay for Ep. Human ANF produced a significant dose-related increase in Ep secretion at concentrations of 10(-7) and 10(-6) M when compared with vehicle controls. ANF (greater than or equal to 10(-9) M) also significantly increased the intracellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) concentration after 5-min incubation with the RC cells. Scatchard analysis of the human 125I-labeled ANF binding data indicated that the RC cells contain a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 93 +/- 1 pM and a binding capacity of 2,190 +/- 750 sites/cell. Incubation of the RC cells with 8-bromo-cGMP in concentrations of 10(-7)-10(-5) M also produced a significant dose-related enhancement of Ep secretion. These findings suggest that the increase in Ep secretion in response to ANF can be attributed, at least in part, to activation of guanylate cyclase, which is coupled to specific ANF receptors on the RC cell.

Effects of a small bolus dose of ANF in healthy volunteers and in patients with volume retaining disorders

Thirty-seven patients with volume-retaining disorders (liver cirrhosis with ascites, n = 8; heart failure NYHA III-IV, n = 12; endstage renal failure, n = 17) and twelve healthy age-matched controls were given a small dose (33 micrograms) of hANF (human atrial natriuretic factor). We tested the resulting hemodynamic and renal effects as well as the effect on plasma cyclic GMP levels and compared them with the properties of platelet ANF receptors. The ANF injection evoked an increase in cyclic GMP plasma levels of 19.3 +/- 2.2 nM in healthy controls. This increase tended to be smaller in the cirrhosis group (15.5 +/- 3.3 nM) and in the heart failure group (16.8 +/- 2.3 nM) than in the dialysis group (20.5 +/- 2.5 nM). The invasion rates of cyclic GMP were comparable in all groups, but the evasion rates increased more in the heart failure and endstage renal failure groups (27.9 +/- 7.7 min and 26.1 +/- 3.4 min, respectively) than in the cirrhosis and control groups (14.9 +/- 1.9 min and 14.2 +/- 1.9 min, respectively). Patients with endstage renal failure and congestive heart failure showed a smaller decrease in diastolic blood pressure than controls and patients with liver cirrhosis. Renal actions of ANF were diminished in cirrhosis and heart failure patients. Binding capacities of platelet ANF receptors were higher in the control group (12.2 +/- 1.5 receptors/cell) than in the patient groups (cirrhosis, 7.8 +/- 1.2; endstage renal failure, 8.0 +/- 0.9; heart insufficiency, 8.0 +/- 1.0 receptors/cell), with no differences among the patient groups. Binding affinities were not significantly different. Correlation analysis showed that the relationship between the actions of ANF and the increases in plasma cyclic GMP levels is loose and cannot predict the hemodynamic or renal effects of exogenous ANF in a given patient. Although the behavior of plasma cyclic GMP levels fails to predict the responsiveness of the body to ANF in a given patient, it does reflect the differences between the patient groups and the control group. In contrast, we found no correlation between the properties of platelet ANF receptors and ANF action.

Rapid receptor-mediated catabolism of 125I-atrial natriuretic factor by vascular endothelial cells

The binding, internalization and degradation of 200 pM monoiodinated human atrial natriuretic factor-(99-126) (125I-hANF) by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were studied at 37 degrees C. 125I-hANF was rapidly cleared from the extracellular medium (t1/2 approximately 10 min), whereas preincubation of the cells in the presence of 20 mM-NH4Cl or 0.2 mM-chloroquine resulted in a significant inhibition of this process. The BAECs rapidly produce three major degradation products of 125I-hANF, namely [125I]iodotyrosine 126 (125I-Y), Arg125-[125I]iodotyrosine126 (125I-RY) and Phe124-Arg125-[125I]iodotyrosine126(125I-FRY), which were detected in the extracellular medium. NH4Cl and chloroquine acted to inhibit the generation of 125I-Y and 125I-RY, but not that of 125I-FRY. Furthermore, excess unlabelled hANF (300 nM) completely blocked the rapid production of 125I-Y and 125I-RY in the first 5 min, but only partially (49%) inhibited the generation of 125I-FRY. Thus, in contrast with our previous findings with cultured smooth-muscle cells [Johnson, Arik & Foster (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 11637-11642], BAECs bind, internalize and rapidly degrade 125I-hANF, resulting in the release of 125I-Y and 125I-RY into the extracellular medium. Similarly to smooth-muscle cells, the BAECs generate 125I-FRY from 125I-hANF via an extracellular proteolytic event. The rapidity of the receptor-mediated process and its sensitivity to NH4Cl and chloroquine suggest that the 125I-hANF is proteolytically processed in the endosomes of BAECs and that its receptors cycle between the cell surface and intracellular stores.

Effects of Atrial Natriuretic Factor in Conscious Rhesus Monkeys With Acute Volume Expansion

The renal and hemodynamic responses to intravenous anaritide, a human atrial natriuretic factor [102-126] at 0.3 to 20 micrograms/kg in conscious rhesus monkeys with and without acute extracellular hypervolemia were analyzed and compared. Acute isotonic saline loading (intravenous bolus at 10 mL/kg plus continuous infusion at 0.25 mL/kg/min 30 min prior to and maintained throughout experiment) significantly augmented urine output (UV) and urinary Na+ excretion rate (UNaV) by 31% and 91%, respectively. Radial mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were not affected by volume expansion. Anaritide at doses higher than 0.3 micrograms/kg reduced MAP in a dose-dependent fashion in euvolemic monkeys. In contrast, reduction in MAP was observed only at the highest dose (20 micrograms/kg) of anaritide in hypervolemic monkeys. The hypotensive responses to anaritide at 20 micrograms/kg in euvolemic and hypervolemic animals were similar (-26 +/- 5 v -24 +/- 5 mm Hg, respective maximum changes in MAP). UV and UNaV were increased by anaritide at 3 to 20 micrograms/kg in both euvolemic and hypervolemic monkeys; however, the increases at each effective dose of anaritide were greater or tended to be greater in hypervolemic rhesus monkeys compared with euvolemic rhesus monkeys. Compared to vehicle responses, HR was not affected by anaritide in either group of animals. In conclusion, acute extracellular hypervolemia potentiates the renal but suppresses the hypotensive responses to anaritide in conscious rhesus monkeys.

The actions of human atrial natriuretic factor on hepatic arterial and portal vascular beds of the anaesthetized dog

1. The vascular actions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) have been assessed with other vasoactive agents on the hepatic arterial and portal vascular beds of the anaesthetized dog. 2. Intra-arterial bolus injections of ANF (0.1-50 nmol) caused graded increases in hepatic arterial blood flow representing a vasodilatation of relatively short duration. Vasoconstriction was never observed. 3. The maximum increase in hepatic arterial blood was the same for ANF and isoprenaline (Iso) i.e. approximately 60-70% increase over control flow. 4. On a molar basis, ANF was less potent than Iso although over the higher dose range (10(-9)-10(-7) mol) its vasodilator activity exceeded that of the endogenous vasodilator adrenaline. 5. Intraportal bolus injections (1.0-50 nmol) of ANF did not alter portal inflow resistance since no changes in portal inflow pressure occurred when the portal circuit was perfused at constant inflow volume. 6. This differential action of ANF on the hepatic arterial and portal vascular beds may provide a change in total liver blood flow in favour of the arterial component. 7. ANF, by altering hepatic haemodynamics to favour formation of trans-sinusoidal fluid exchange, may provide a temporary expansion of the extravascular fluid reservoir to buffer any increased venous pressure. However, chronically elevated plasma levels of ANF would encourage the formation of ascitic fluid.

Renal disposal of human atrial natriuretic peptide in man

In healthy men (n = 7) the renal fractional extraction of human atrial natriuretic factor (hNAP) as determined by the renal venous catheter technique was approximately 50% both under basal conditions and during the administration of exogenous hANP. When arterial and venous plasma concentrations of hANP were maintained about tenfold above basal concentrations by a bolus- (100 μg) primed intravenous (IV) infusion (100 μg/h for 1 hour) of hANP, renal uptake of hANP increased from, basal, 11.2 ± 6.7 pmol/min to 126.5 ± 64.8 pmol/min ( P < .05), while estimated renal plasma flow (ERPF) decreased by about 25% ( P < .05). Total metabolic clearance rates (MCRs) of hANP, renal clearance rates, and production rates of hANP were 3.89 ± 1.21 L/min, 0.42 ± 0.18 L/min, and 76.1 ± 52.7 pmol/min, respectively. In healthy men, one kidney accounts for about 10% of total hANP clearance.

Renal actions of atrial natriuretic factor: modulation of effect by changes in sodium status and aldosterone

To examine the effect of changes in Na status on the renal response to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), human ANF-(99-126) was infused into the renal artery of conscious sheep while Na replete, Na depleted, or Na loaded. The natriuretic response to ANF was attenuated during Na depletion and enhanced in Na-loaded animals. To demonstrate that the enhancement or attenuation of response was related to Na status rather than to the initial level of Na excretion, aldosterone was infused into the renal artery for 2 h to decrease Na excretion to a level inappropriately low for the animal's Na status (and not different from Na-depleted animals), and they were again challenged with ANF. Their response to ANF, however, was not significantly different from that in normal Na-replete animals but was significantly greater than that observed in Na-depleted animals. Similarly, Na-loaded animals treated with aldosterone had control Na excretion in the Na-replete range; however, their response to ANF was not significantly different from that of Na-loaded animals. The response to ANF was enhanced in sheep treated with aldosterone for 48 h, consistent with Na retention and hypervolemia, secondary to aldosterone treatment. The study demonstrates that Na status or some associated physiological parameter is an important determinant of the natriuretic response to ANF. The present series of experiments demonstrate that changes in aldosterone levels per se are not a determinant of the natriuretic response to ANF.

Localization and characterization of the N-terminal fragment of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) precursor in the frog heart

The localization of the N-terminal fragment of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) precursor in the heart of the frog Rana ridibunda was examined by the indirect immunofluorescence and the immunogold techniques using an antiserum directed against synthetic rat ANF (Asp 11-Ala 37). At the optic level, positive material was found in most atrial myocytes. Staining of consecutive sections of frog heart with antibodies against N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the proANF molecule showed that both peptides are contained in the same cardiocytes. In the rat atrium, antibodies against the N-terminal ANF region induced a more intense labeling than in the frog atrium. Electron microscopic studies indicated that all secretory granules present in frog atrial cardiocytes contain N-terminal ANF-like immunoreactive material. The positive material localized in frog atrium was characterized by gel filtration and radioimmunological detection. Serial dilutions of frog atrial extracts exhibited displacement curves which were parallel to that obtained with synthetic human ANF (Asn 1-Asp 30). Sephadex G-50 gel chromatography of the immunoreactive material showed that the N-terminal ANF-like immunoreactivity eluted in a single peak corresponding to high molecular weight material. These results indicate that the N-terminal fragment of frog proANF is immunologically and biochemically related to the homologous mammalian peptide.

Partial characterization of a metalloendopeptidase activity produced by cultured endothelial cells that removes the COOH-terminal tripeptide from 125I-atrial natriuretic factor

The presence of the COOH-terminal region of human atrial natriuretic factor-(99–126) (hANF) is necessary for the full expression of its biological activity. Here, we report on the partial characterization of a proteolytic activity in the conditioned medium from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells that cleaves the Ser 123-Phe 124 bond of 125I-hANF generating the COOH-terminal tripeptide. The concentrated conditioned medium was fractionated by gel filtration high performance liquid chromatography and fractions were assayed for the ability to generate the COOH-terminal tripeptide from 125I-hANF. This analysis indicated that the protein responsible for this activity had an approximate molecular weight of 200,000 daltons. Of 16 protease inhibitors tested, only 1,10 phenanthroline, EDTA, EGTA and N-ethylmaleimide significantly inhibited the endopeptidase activity. Thus, we conclude that cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells produce a potentially novel phosphoramidon-insensitive metalloendopeptidase that removes the COOH-terminal tripeptide from 125I-hANF.

Baseline and post-atrial pacing release of atrial natriuretic factor in mitral stenosis

To investigate the release of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in mitral stenosis and the influence of the increase on the frequency of atrial contraction or atrial distention on ANF secretion, we studied 10 patients with symptoms of congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association classes II and III) in sinus rhythm, who were undergoing cardiac catheterization as part of an evaluation workup for mitral stenosis. Echocardiographic tracings, repeat determinations of mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure (MPAWP) and mean right atrial pressure, and blood sampling from the pulmonary artery for measurements of ANF were performed at baseline, during atrial pacing (pacing rate of 125 beats/min for 5 minutes), and 5 minutes after the pacing protocol was completed. Baseline ANF levels were closely related to right atrial pressure (r = 0.89; p less than 0.001) and increased markedly after atrial pacing from 205.6 +/- 39.8 (SEM) to 343.9 +/- 57.9 (SEM) pg/ml. A similar pacing-induced increase was shown for MPAWP and left atrial size. Our data indicate that pacing-induced increases in atrial distention and intracavitary pressure further stimulate release of ANF. However, an independent effect of frequency of atrial pacing on plasma ANF in humans could not be identified.

Pharmacological Doses of Atrial Natriuretic Factor Do Not Inhibit Canine Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction

It has been recently suggested that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) might be involved in the physiological regulation of pulmonary circulation. Therefore, we investigated the pulmonary hemodynamic response to 20-min infusions of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 micrograms kg-1 min-1 of alpha human ANF in five dogs alternatively ventilated with hyperoxic (FIO2 0.4) and hypoxic (FIO2 0.1) gas mixtures. Cardiac output was held constant by the inflation of a balloon in the inferior vena cava or by opening of an arteriovenous femoral fistula, in order to discriminate between active and passive changes in pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa). Hypoxia increased Ppa from 14 +/- 3 to 24 +/- 3 mm Hg (mean +/- SE, p less than 001). Circulating ANF and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) were increased to 1,326 +/- 299 pmol L-1 (normal is less than 10 pmol L-1) and 75.5 +/- 5.8 pmol ml-1 (normal is less than 15 pmol ml-1) respectively, at the highest infused dose. After ANF infusion, heart rate (HR), Ppa, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (Ppw), and right atrial pressure (Pra) did not change either in hyperoxia or hypoxia. Systemic arterial pressure (Psa) decreased after ANF, but only in hypoxia. Thus, ANF at pharmacological doses associated with a 100-150-fold increase in plasma levels proved to be a poor vasodilator and, in particular, did not inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). These results do not support the speculation that ANF might be an endogenous vasodilating modulator of pulmonary vascular tone in the dog.

Relationship of atrial natriuretic factor to left ventricular volume and mass

Although atrial natriuretic factor is primarily of atrial origin, recent observations indicate that the hormone is also synthesized by hypertrophied left ventricular myocardium. To assess the separate Influences of left ventricular and left atrial dilatation and left ventricular hypertrophy on human atrial natriuretic factor levels, left atrial dimension and volume and left ventricular dimension and mass were compared in 49 normal subjects, in 33 patients with chronic aortic regurgitation, and in 15 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation. When compared with normal subjects, patients with chronic aortic and mitral regurgitation had similarly dilated and hypertrophied left ventricles ( p < 0.0005), while only mitral regurgitation patients had significantly enlarged ( p < 0.0005) mean left atrial dimension and volume. Likewise, plasma atrial natriuretic factor was elevated among patients with mitral regurgitation (60.3 ± 47.0 fmol/ml) but was normal in patients with aortic regurgitation (19.0 ± 11.0 fmol/ml versus 12.4 ± 5.2 fmol/ml in normals; both p < 0.0005 versus mitral regurgitation). Among all 97 subjects, atrial natriuretic factor levels correlated more closely with left atrial dimension and volume ( r = 0.62 and 0.64, p < 0.0005) than with left ventricular dimension ( r = 0.44, p < 0.0005) or mass ( r = 0.40, p < 0.0005). In addition, multivariate analysis indicated that left atrial volume bore a stronger independent relationship to plasma atrial natriuretic factor levels than either age or left ventricular variables. Thus plasma atrial natriuretic factor levels are usually normal in compensated aortic regurgitation despite marked left ventricular volume overload and hypertrophy, whereas circulating atrial natriuretic factor levels are increased in chronic mitral regurgitation wherein comparable degrees of ventricular enlargement are additionally associated with marked left atrial dilatation. In conclusion, in the setting of marked, compensated left ventricular volume overload, left atrial distension remains a more potent stimulus to atrial natriuretic factor release than left ventricular enlargement or hypertrophy.

Pulmonary vasodilator responses to atrial natriuretic factor and sodium nitroprusside

The objective of this study was to determine the direct actions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on the pulmonary vascular bed and to compare these actions with those of sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The responses to incremental infusion rates of 1, 5, 10, and 50 ng.kg-1.min-1 synthetic human ANF and to 1-2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 SNP were examined in the in situ autoperfused lung lobe of open-chest anesthetized pigs under conditions of normal and elevated pulmonary vascular tone. During basal conditions, ANF and SNP caused small but significant reductions in pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) and pulmonary venous pressure (Ppv) with no change in lobar vascular resistance (LVR). When pulmonary vascular tone was increased by prostaglandin F2 alpha (20 micrograms/min), ANF infusion at doses greater than 1 ng.kg-1.min-1 decreased Ppa and LVR in a dose-related fashion. Infusion of 50 ng.kg-1.min-1 ANF and of 2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 SNP maximally decreased Ppa, from 33 +/- 3 to 20 +/- 2 mmHg (P less than 0.001) and from 31 +/- 4 to 18 +/- 1 mmHg (P less than 0.001), respectively. At these doses, ANF reduced systemic arterial pressure by only 11.5 +/- 3% compared with 34 +/- 4% decreased with SNP (P less than 0.001). The results indicate that ANF, similarly to SNP, exerts a direct potent vasodilator activity in the porcine pulmonary vascular bed, which is dependent on the existing level of vasoconstrictor tone.

Effects Of Atrial Natriuretic Factor on Cyclic Nucleotides, Bone Resorption, Collagen and Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis, and Prostaglandin E2Production in Fetal Rat Bone Cultures*

We examined the effects of synthetic human atrial natriuretic factor (human ANF 99-126) on adenylate cyclase activity, cAMP and cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels, bone resorption, collagen and DNA synthesis, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in fetal rat bone organ cultures. ANF (100 nM) inhibited PTH- and PGE2-stimulated cAMP production but had no effect on basal cAMP production in 21-day fetal rat calvaria. ANF increased cGMP levels, and this was not affected by PTH. ANF (10 nM) partially inhibited bone resorption stimulated by PGE2 but had no effect on control or PTH-stimulated resorption in 19-day fetal rat long bones. ANF had no effect on collagen and DNA synthesis or PGE2 production and did not alter responses to PTH or PGE2 in the fetal rat calvaria. Thus, ANF has no major direct effect on bone resorption or formation, but it is possible that ANF modulates the local regulatory function of PGE2 in bone.

Augmentation of the Natriuretic Response to Atrial Natriuretic Factor in Cirrhosis

The effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on splanchnic hemodynamics and renal function in portal hypertensive models are described incompletely. Furthermore, ANF–induced vasodilatation and hypotension may limit the assessment of its own renal physiological effects. We infused ANF (human ANF 102–126) to anesthetized portal vein–ligated rats, a model with prehepatic portal hypertension. Arterial pressure was reduced by 17%, but portal pressure was unaffected. Diuresis and natriuresis were explained in part by an increase in glomerular filtration rate; in addition, renal vascular resistance was significantly decreased. The natriuretic response to ANF was slightly, but significantly, decreased in portal hypertensive rats as compared to controls (fractional excretion of sodium, 1.8 ± 0.4 vs. 2.9 ± 0.3; P &lt; .05). The addition of Phe–Ile–Orn–vasopressin, a V1 receptor agonist, normalized arterial pressure but induced a significant decrease in the portal pressure (15 ± 0.9 mm Hg base line vs. 12.8 ± 0.7 combination group; P &lt; .01). Furthermore, the combination of both drugs markedly potentiated the natriuretic effects (0.4 ± 0.1 μEq/min of control vs. 10.0 ± 2.3 ANF vs. 32.2 ± 3.3 combination group; P &lt; .001). The natriuretic potentiation resulted from increments in glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow. Normalization of arterial pressure may enhance the renal physiological effects of ANF, in this portal hypertensive model.

Glomerular Atrial Natriuretic Factor Receptors In Primary Glomerulopathies: Studies On Human Renal Biopsies

Human renal biopsies are currently used to provide information about morphologic changes, chronicity of disease, patterns of inflammation, and immunoglobulin deposition. This practice has provided only limited insight into functional aberrations and has failed to provided information necessary for disease classification based on pathophysiology. To expand the potential of the renal biopsy in this regard and to determine whether differences in glomerular atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) binding exist in different forms of primary renal disease, quantitative autoradiography and 125I-human ANF (1-28) were used to determine the location and pharmacological characteristics of ANF binding sites in the normal human kidney. Specific ANF binding was highest in the glomeruli, but lower levels of specific binding were localized to the inner medulla and the interlobular arteries. ANF binding sites in the human kidney were found to be highly stable and similar in both location and pharmacology to those observed in experimental animals. As determined by saturation experiments, the equilibrium dissociation constants for glomeruli, inner medulla, and interlobular arteries were almost identical at 4.0 x 10(-11) mol/L. Competitive binding inhibition studies with unlabeled human ANF (1-28) demonstrated highly specific binding shared by the glomerulus, inner medulla, and interlobular artery, with apparent half-maximal inhibition concentrations of 9.2 x 10(-10) mol/L, 8.0 x -10 mol/L, and 8.2 x 10(-10) mol/L, respectively. Quantitation of specific binding of ANF to glomeruli in needle biopsy specimens of three primary glomerulopathies, ie, minimal-change disease, membranous nephropathy, and focal glomerulosclerosis, showed no differences among the groups. This study demonstrates the feasibility of studying receptor physiology on biopsy specimens of the human kidney and should allow renal diseases, particularly of glomerular origin, to be characterized according to differences in hormone binding and hormone responsiveness. The absence of significant differences in glomerular ANF binding in the primary glomerulopathies studied is consistent with other studies that have failed to delineate important pathophysiological differences in renal function and volume homeostasis in these disease states.

INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORTISOL AND ATRIAL NATRIURETIC FACTOR IN THE IMMATURE OVINE FETUS

1. In chronically cannulated ovine fetuses (100-130 days of gestation) the infusion of cortisol (86.7 +/- 15 micrograms/h for 4 h) or human atrial natriuretic factor (ANF; 4.4 micrograms for 2 h) resulted in highly significant increases in the excretion of sodium, chloride, potassium and water. 2. Cortisol had no significant effect on fetal plasma ANF concentrations. All values are mean and s.e.m. Plasma immunoreactive ANF was 53 +/- 5 and 67.3 +/- 13 pmol/L in the 4 h saline infused fetuses, and 51.3 +/- 14.3 and 74 +/- 13.3 pmol/L in cortisol-infused fetuses (n = 7). A separate group of fetuses received 2 h infusions of saline or hANF (4.4 micrograms/h), and plasma IR-ANF values were measured (n = 3). The values, at 0, 60, 90 and 120 min were, respectively, 19.7 +/- 3, 17.3 +/- 0.7, 18.7 +/- 3.7 and 20.7 +/- 3.7 pmol/L in the saline infused group, and 25.3 +/- 5.3, 80.7 +/- 32.3, 123.3 +/- 4.3 and 100 +/- 15 pmol/L in the ANF-infused fetuses. 3. Blood cortisol concentrations, in fetuses infused for 4 h with 0.9% NaCl, were 3.1 +/- 0.8 nmol/L (n = 7); in fetuses infused with 0.9% NaCl for 2 h were 3.6 +/- 1 nmol/L (n = 3); in fetuses infused for 4 h with cortisol were 19.9 +/- 1.9 nmol/L (n = 7); and in fetuses infused with hANF for 2 h were 6.0 +/- 3.0 nmol/L (n = 5). 4. There was no effect of fetal hANF infusion on maternal or fetal blood aldosterone concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Membrane currents elicited by prostaglandins, atrial natriuretic factor and oxytocin in follicle‐enclosed Xenopus oocytes.

1. Membrane currents were recorded from voltage clamped Xenopus laevis oocytes, still surrounded by follicular cells, theca and enveloping inner ovarian epithelia (ovarian follicles). 2. Superfusing follicles with frog Ringer solution containing E-series prostaglandins (PGE1 or PGE2) or oxytocin (0.5-2 microM) generated slow membrane currents arising from an increase in membrane conductance to K+. 3. Follicles taken from different frogs varied greatly in responsiveness to PGE and oxytocin. For example, enclosed oocytes with good sensitivity to prostaglandins responded to 1 nM-PGE, whereas follicles from some frogs failed to respond at 5 microM. 4. Oocytes with good responsiveness to PGE also produced K+ currents to PGA1, PGA2, PGB1, 11-deoxy-PGE1 and 11-beta-PGE2, whereas PGF2 alpha, PGI2, PGD2 and 8-iso-PGE1 generally failed to elicit membrane currents. 5. Responses to PGE and oxytocin were mimicked by the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin or by intraoocyte pressure injection of cyclic nucleotides. Responses were potentiated by the phosphodiesterase inhibitors theophylline and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). In IBMX (0.5 mM), human atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) (10-60 nM) elicited a similar K+ conductance. This all implied that cyclic nucleotides played a role in the receptor-channel coupling mechanism of these responses. 6. Defolliculating oocytes effectively abolished responses to prostaglandins, oxytocin and ANF, suggesting that the currents arise in follicular cells. 7. The responses of PGE, oxytocin and ANF thus resembled currents elicited by catecholamines, adenosine, gonadotrophins and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). However, PGE, oxytocin and ANF responses were not blocked by catecholaminergic or purinergic antagonists. Moreover, when comparing follicles isolated from different frogs, the sensitivity to PGE and oxytocin varied independently of that to gonadotrophin or VIP. These experiments suggest that Xenopus ovarian follicles contain specific and distinct receptors for PGE, oxytocin and ANF. 8. Acetylcholine attenuated the cyclic nucleotide-mediated K+ responses, including currents elicited by PGE, oxytocin and ANF. Attenuation was not dependent on, or mimicked by, activation of the inositol phosphate-diacylglycerol messenger pathways located in the oocyte itself, nor was it appreciably blocked by loading follicle-enclosed oocytes with 0.1-1.5 mM-EGTA.

Atrial natriuretic factor in hypertension: bioactivity at normal plasma levels.

To ascertain whether small shifts in plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) exerted biological effects in hypertension, we studied the renal, hemodynamic, and hormonal effects of ANF [human ANF-(99-126)] infused at a dose (0.75 pmol/kg/min for 3 hours) that would induce changes in plasma ANF confined to the normal, resting range, in a group of six young men with uncomplicated, mild essential hypertension. During ANF infusions, the patients excreted 11.8 +/- 2.0 mmol (mean +/- SEM) sodium more than during the time-matched placebo phase natriuresis (p less than 0.001, mean increase of 53% above placebo values). Urinary excretion of cyclic guanosine monophosphate rose to more than double (212%, p less than 0.001) placebo values. Plasma renin activity (0.4 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.12 nmol/l/hr, p less than 0.0001) and aldosterone concentrations (102 +/- 4 vs. 184 +/- 47 pmol/l, p less than 0.05) were clearly suppressed during administration of ANF. Plasma norepinephrine also fell significantly below placebo values (268 +/- 17 vs. 439 +/- 35 pg/ml, p less than 0.05). Urine volume, the excretion of electrolytes other than sodium, hematocrit, effective renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, and filtration fraction were unaffected by ANF. Similarly, plasma concentrations of epinephrine, arginine vasopressin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol were unchanged. Blood pressure and heart rate were unchanged. Minor perturbations in plasma ANF concentrations exert clear biological effects in patients with mild essential hypertension. These data suggest that such minor shifts in plasma ANF are of physiological relevance in mild hypertension and probably contribute to volume homeostasis in this condition.