Radioimmunoassay of atrial natriuretic polypeptide in heat-treated human plasma

In this simple, sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (hANP) in human plasma, nonspecific interference is minimized by deproteinizing the plasma by heat treatment at 85 degrees C for 10 min. We directly measure alpha-hANP in the supernates by RIA, with use of antiserum that recognizes the N-terminal region of alpha-hANP. The minimal detectable value was 0.4 pg per tube. The intra-assay CV was 6.6% (n = 8). The mean concentration of hANP in plasma of 54 healthy volunteers was 41 (SD 29) ng/L. Concentrations of hANP in plasma increased after saline infusion and high salt intake for one week in patients with essential hypertension. High concentrations were also measured in patients with renal failure and congestive heart failure. This method, which requires no extraction or purification with column chromatography, is especially useful for simultaneous measurement of several samples.