Toxic renal failure in the rat: beneficial effects of atrial natriuretic factor.

Acute renal failure was induced in rats by intramuscular injection of glycerol. Experiments consisted of three periods: a basal infusion period for all animals, an infusion period of atrial natriuretic factor (5 micrograms or 10 micrograms/250 g body weight) in experimental rats, control rats received isotonic glucose solution, and a post-period with isotonic saline infusion in all animals. According to the severity of acute renal failure three subgroups were formed: mild, moderate, and severe acute renal failure. In all experimental rats, atrial natriuretic factor was capable of ameliorating impaired renal function, leading to increased glomerular filtration rate, diuresis and natriuresis. The effects of atrial natriuretic factor were less pronounced in severe forms of acute renal failure.