Role of atrial natriuretic peptide in volume-expansion natriuresis

Studies were performed to investigate the role of circulating atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in acute volume-expansion natriuresis. Sham-operated (SHAM, n = 6) and right atrial appendectomized (ATRX, n = 12) anesthetized rats underwent acute volume expansion with isoncotic albumin. After equilibration and control periods, volume expansion increased urine flow rate, urinary sodium excretion, fractional excretion of sodium, and circulating ANP. Absolute increases in urine flow rate (delta 46 +/- 4 SHAM; delta 25 +/- 5 microliter/min ATRX), urinary sodium excretion (delta 9.48 +/- 1.01 SHAM; delta 4.77 +/- 1.03 mueq/min ATRX), fractional excretion of sodium (delta 3.16 +/- 0.53 SHAM; delta 1.65 +/- 0.32% ATRX), and ANP (delta 303.3 +/- 35.9 SHAM; delta 156.6 +/- 26.0 pg/ml ATRX) were significantly reduced by right atrial appendectomy. No significant differences in mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, or glomerular filtration rate during volume expansion were observed between groups. These studies support the hypothesis that right atrial appendectomy in the rat attenuates acute volume expansion-induced increases in circulating ANP and urinary sodium excretion and that the natriuresis of acute volume expansion is mediated in part by an increase in circulating ANP.