Cardiovascular and renal functional effects of an antagonist of the guanylyl cyclase-linked ANF receptor.

A selective antagonist for the cGMP-linked ANF receptor was used to assess inhibition of cardiovascular and renal actions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). Two groups of anesthetized rats were injected with antagonist or vehicle, respectively, prior to an infusion of ANF. A third group received neither antagonist injection nor ANF infusion and served as a time control. Compared to ANF infusion alone, prior antagonist administration was associated with significant reduction of both the hypotension and hemoconcentration following peptide infusion, although significant residual effects were still present. Glomerular filtration rates during ANF infusion were significantly lower in the antagonist group. The increases in urinary salt and water excretion were also partially blocked by the antagonist. Microcatheterization studies showed significant partial reversal of ANF-induced inhibition of sodium chloride and water reabsorption in the medullary collecting duct. We conclude that the antagonist is an effective specific blocker of the cardiovascular, renal hemodynamic, and tubular effects of ANF, providing a useful new tool to elucidate the regulatory roles of this peptide hormone system.