Effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on dopa potentiation in mice

The effect of rat atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP1-28) on the pargyline-DOPA potentiation test was studied following its administration into the lateral brain ventricle in mice. Thirty minutes after pargyline pretreatment, three doses of ANP (200, 500, or 1,000 ng/mouse) were administered simultaneously with DOPA and animals were then observed for 2 h. ANP in doses of 500 and 1,000 ng markedly enhanced the effect of DOPA. The maximum intensity of the effect was registered 30-45 min following administration of the peptide. The data suggest that ANP might be regarded as a dopaminergic-modulating agent in the CNS.