Renal response of anesthetized rats to low-dose infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide.

Studies were performed in rats to determine the minimum infusion rate of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) associated with detectable changes in renal function and to determine the change in plasma levels of the peptide produced by these infusion rates. Synthetic ANP-(4-28) was administered to anesthetized euvolemic rats at rates ranging between 10 and 230 ng.kg-1.min-1 for 30 min. Significant natriuresis and diuresis were seen with an infusion of 20 ng.kg-1.min-1. At this rate of infusion, plasma ANP averaged 279 +/- 19.9 pmol/l (vs. 158 +/- 11.8 pmol/l in control rats). A transient increase in K excretion was seen with infusions higher than 100 ng.kg-1.min-1. There was no measurable change in glomerular filtration rate up to an infusion of 160 ng.kg-1.min-1. A significant decrease in mean arterial pressure was only seen with an infusion of 230 ng.kg-1.min-1. In volume-expanded rats, infusion of ANP at 10 ng.kg-1.min-1 induced a significant natriuresis. Our results indicate that natriuresis and diuresis are caused by an infusion of ANP which produces changes in plasma ANP concentration that may well result from stimulation of endogenous ANP release. In contrast, changes in K excretion, glomerular filtration rate, and arterial blood pressure may require changes in plasma ANP that are not easily achievable by physiological interventions.