Angiotensin II: a humoral mediator for the gastric sodium monitor.

Natriuresis in direct response to a gastric sodium stimulus (upper-gut sodium monitor) has paradoxically only been demonstrated in humans and animals on a low-sodium diet preceding each study. It is possible that the low-sodium diet itself induces or suppresses systems that mediate or oppose the ensuing natriuresis. In this study, we sought to determine whether a system activated by this diet, the renin-angiotensin system, mediates the natriuretic response. Specifically, we sought to show whether changes in the circulating concentration of angiotensin II (ANG II) may mediate the renal response to stimulation of the gastric sodium monitor. Male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to low- (0.008%) or normal (2.2%) sodium diets. After 1 wk on the experimental diet, they received a sodium load intragastrically or intravenously, and plasma ANG II was measured at 0, 5, 10, 30, 60, and 120 min. Urine was collected for 4 h after the sodium load, and plasma sodium was measured at 0, 2, and 4 h. Urinary sodium excretion was greater in the 4 h after gastric than after intravenous sodium administration (P < 0.025) in the rabbits on the low-sodium diet. No significant difference was noted in the rabbits on the normal sodium. In rabbits on the low-sodium diet, there was an immediate and significant decline in plasma ANG II after sodium was administered both intragastrically (P < 0.025) and intravenously (P < 0.05). This decrease was greater after intragastric than intravenous sodium (P < 0.0025), and the difference was still evident at 120 min (P < 0.05). No significant difference in plasma ANG II was found in the normal diet group. We conclude, therefore, that a prolonged decrease in ANG II concentration may play a role in mediating the natriuretic response to the gastric sodium monitor.