Hemodynamic, renal, and hormonal effects of 8-Br-cyclic GMP in conscious dogs with and without congestive heart failure.

In conscious dogs, we examined the hypothesis that the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are mediated by cyclic GMP and tested whether stimulation of the intracellular pathway beyond the ANP receptor level still exerts ANP-like effects during tolerance to ANP in heart failure. We studied the hemodynamic, renal, and hormonal effects of the cyclic GMP analogue 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (8-Br-cyclic GMP) in conscious dogs before and after induction of congestive heart failure by right ventricular pacing. In healthy dogs, 8-Br-cyclic GMP (1-100 micrograms/kg/min) dose-dependently decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP -19% by 100 micrograms/kg/min) and total peripheral resistance (TPR -22%) with no change in cardiac output (CO) and right atrial pressure, increased urine flow (UF 52%), and sodium excretion (UNaV 135%). Plasma renin (62%) and norepinephrine (NE 24%) were increased. In dogs with heart failure, 8-Br-cyclic GMP induced a similar arteriolar dilation (MAP -16%, TPR -23%) with no change in CO and preload. However, the effects on renal excretory function were abolished or markedly attenuated (UF -4%, UNaV 7%). Plasma renin (163%) and aldosterone (40%) were increased. Our findings support the hypothesis that the renal effects of ANP are mediated by cyclic GMP in vivo. The attenuation of renal effects of 8-Br-cyclic GMP in heart failure does not prove but is in agreement with the hypothesis that an intracellular defect beyond cyclic GMP production might be involved in the tolerance to ANP in heart failure.