Some physiopathological aspects of atrial natriuretic factor.

Chronic infusion of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) decreased blood pressure in two-kidney, one clip (2-K, 1C), spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and one-kidney, one clip (1-K, 1C) models of experimental hypertension in the rat, but produced increased sodium excretion only in the 1-K, 1C model. In ANF-infused 2-K, 1C animals plasma renin activity did not differ from normotensive controls. Atrial content of immunoreactive (ir) ANF was significantly lower in SHR and 1-K, 1C animals. At 40-50 days old, cardiomyopathic hamsters had a higher concentration of plasma irANF and a lower ANF content in the left but not in the right atrium, although the difference in plasma ANF was more obvious once heart failure was well established. At 110-130 and 200-300 days old, the hamster atrial ANF content was not only lower in the left but also in the right atrium. No differences were observed in plasma irANF between normal subjects and either untreated or treated essential hypertensive patients. However, a significantly higher plasma ANF was observed in two groups with secondary hypertension, primary hyperaldosteronism and renovascular hypertension. Bolus injection of ANF into healthy subjects produced a dose-related decrease in blood pressure and an increase in the heart rate and natriuresis.