Receptor autoradiographical evidence of a preferential reduction of binding sites for atrial natriuretic factor in renal papilla of the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

In the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) as well as in the pathophysiological states with volume retention, high levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) do not produce adequate diuresis and natriuresis. We have investigated the question whether the reduced effectiveness of ANF could be due to a reduction of the ANF binding. Evidence is provided by quantitative autoradiography with [125I]ANF than higher ANF plasma levels in SHRSP compared to normotensive WKY rats are associated with a reduced number of binding sites (25%) in the renal papilla as well as in the subfornical organ (69%). This could contribute to the reduced response of ANF in SHRSP.