A role for atrial natriuretic peptide in endothelin-induced natriuresis

Systemic administration of low-dose endothelin increases urinary sodium excretion rate despite mild to moderate reductions in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rates. The role of atrial natriuretic peptide in endothelin-induced natriuresis was investigated. Administration of 2.50 pmol/min of endothelin to euvolemic rats resulted in increases in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels from 127 +/- 18 to 169 +/- 23 pg/mL. However, a lower dose of endothelin (0.63 pmol/min) or saline did not increase plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide. Mean arterial pressure was unchanged at the lower dose of endothelin and increased only slightly in rats receiving 2.5 pmol/min. To assess functional significance, renal responses to endothelin (2.5 pmol/min) in the absence and presence of a specific anti-rat atrial natriuretic peptide antibody were compared. Equivalent reductions in renal blood flow were observed. Urinary sodium excretion rates increased significantly in non-ANP-antibody-treated rats by 33 +/- 7 and 82 +/- 20% at 10 and 30 min, respectively. Atrial natriuretic peptide antibody blunted markedly endothelin-induced natriuresis: urinary sodium excretion rates changed insignificantly by 18 +/- 10 and 30 +/- 14%, respectively. Thus, endothelin infusion results in increases in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels, which may contribute to endothelin-induced natriuresis, providing evidence for potentially significant interactions between these peptide hormones in the regulation of sodium balance and renal vascular tone.