Glomerular ANF receptor regulation during changes in sodium and water metabolism

The concentration of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in atria and plasma was investigated in relation to the regulation of renal glomerular ANF receptors in the rat during changes in water and sodium intake. A decrease in plasma immunoreactive ANF (IR-ANF) was observed after 4 days of water deprivation or after 1 wk on a low-sodium diet, whereas animals offered 1% NaCl in their drinking water had elevated plasma ANF values. Atrial IR-ANF was lower in water-deprived and higher in sodium-restricted rats than in their respective controls. A low-sodium intake or water deprivation increased the density of glomerular ANF receptors, whereas the inverse occurred with a high-salt consumption. It is concluded that an inverse correlation exists between ANF plasma concentration and renal glomerular ANF receptor sites.