Influence of atrial natriuretic factor on 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ uptake in rabbit aorta

Because atrial natriuretic factor (Atriopeptin II, ANF) exerts potent effects on Na+ transport in a number of tissues, we examined its influence on 22Na+-uptake in isolated rabbit aorta segments and the possible relation to ANF-induced vasorelaxation. ANF increased 22Na+-uptake by 44% with an EC50 of 12 nM whereas sodium nitroprusside was without effect. The increase was blocked by the selective inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA) but was not sensitive to the guanylate cyclase inhibitor LY 83583, indicating ANF-induced activation of Na+/H+ exchange via a cyclic GMP (cGMP) independent pathway. The ability of ANF to relax phenylephrine-induced contractions of rabbit aorta was inhibited by EIPA at concentrations which produced inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange whereas sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation was only marginally affected. EIPA caused a 90% decrease in the ability of ANF to increase cGMP, but did not interfere with the sodium nitroprusside-induced increase. LY 83583 blocked the ability of ANF to increase cGMP formation but failed to reduce ANF-induced vasorelaxation. These results suggest that ANF activation of EIPA-sensitive 22Na+-uptake occurs before cGMP formation perhaps at the level of the ANF receptor itself. The vasorelaxant effects of ANF involve a significant cGMP-independent component which is EIPA sensitive.