Intra-atrial communication and control of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) release

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) release was studied in isolated perfused atria prepared from rats. When the vein-atrial junction (VAJ) was distended with an inflatable balloon, ANF release into the perfusate was greater in intact atria than in appendectomized atria. It was concluded that distention of the VAJ causes ANF release from the atrial appendage. A cascade experiment was then prepared whereby buffer from one isolated atrium perfused a second atrium. Although the VAJ of the first atrium could be distended by balloon, the atrial appendage was ligated so ANF was not secreted into the perfusate. The second atrium was intact, but no balloon was inserted. Despite the fact that there were no changes in intraluminal pressure, ANF secretion from the second atrium increased when the VAJ of the first atrium was distended. This response was blocked by the endothelin (ET) A receptor antagonist BQ-123. However, no distention-induced changes in ET-1 levels could be found in the perfusate from the first atrium. It is proposed that, in response to changes in distention of the VAJ, ANF is released remotely from the atrial appendage. The mediator does not appear to be ET-1 itself, but rather some factor that stimulates ET-1-induced ANF release within the tissue of the atrial appendage.