Effects of brain natriuretic peptide on renin secretion in normal and hypertonic saline-infused kidney

The effects of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on renin secretion were evaluated in normal and hypertonic saline-infused kidneys of anesthetized dogs. In the normal kidney (N = 5), intrarenal infusion of porcine BNP-(1-26) (pBNP) at a dose of 50 ng/kg per min attenuated the renin secretion rate significantly to 9 +/- 27% of control without exerting a significant effect on mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal blood flow (RBF) or glomerular filtration rate (GFR); urine flow (V) was significantly increased to 260 +/- 33% of control and urinary excretion of sodium (UNaV) to 480 +/- 140% of control. In the hypertonic saline infusion group (N = 6), intrarenal infusion of hypertonic saline (20% w/v) at 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0 mEq NaCl/min caused a decrease in GFR and natriuresis in a dose-dependent manner. The renin secretion rate was attenuated by hypertonic saline infusion (1 mEq NaCl/min) to 87 +/- 31% of control. In another group (N = 6), administration of pBNP at a dose of 50 ng/kg per min during hypertonic saline infusion (1 mEq NaCl/min) increased the renin secretion rate to 196 +/- 57%, increased RBF to 160 +/- 13%, increased GFR to 137 +/- 22%, increased V to 221 +/- 29%, and increased UNaV to 218 +/- 29% of the values measured during hypertonic saline infusion. Our results indicate that BNP inhibits renin secretion through sodium delivery to the macula densa and effectively inhibits the tubuloglomerular feedback response that is activated by intrarenal hypertonic saline infusion.