Response to atrial natriuretic peptide in dogs with hypovolemic acute pancreatitis.

The ability of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to preserve renal function in dogs with hypovolemic acute renal insufficiency was tested in anesthetized dogs 4 h after the induction of acute pancreatitis. Plasma volume had decreased by 21.5% and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by 43.2%. Blood pressure had declined by 30 mmHg. ANP was given intravenously at 50 and 150 ng.kg-1.min-1. With the lower dose, blood pressure (BP), GFR, and clearance of p-aminohippuric acid (CPAH) did not change but urine flow (V) and sodium excretion (UNaV) increased. With the higher dose, BP declined by 25 mmHg, GFR declined, but V and UNaV still increased. When plasma volume was maintained with 4% colloid during the progression of pancreatitis and ANP 50 ng.kg-1.min-1 given, BP declined, GFR did not change, and there was a magnified increment in V and UNaV. The administration of glucagon (5 micrograms/min iv) to dogs with hypovolemic pancreatitis caused BP to decline by 17 mmHg. Despite a major increment in GFR, fractional excretion of sodium increased only slightly, compared with that obtained with ANP. We conclude that glucagon preserves GFR more effectively than ANP in hypovolemia, but ANP is more effective in protecting urinary water and sodium excretion.