Sodium balance effects on renin, angiotensinogen, and atrial natriuretic polypeptide mRNA levels

The expressions of the renin, angiotensinogen, and atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) genes were studied in rats with varying sodium intakes. mRNAs for angiotensinogen and renin were measured by a sensitive radiodensitometric hybridization assay. ANP mRNA was determined by a dot-blot hybridization assay. In the high-sodium state, plasma renin concentration (PRC), renal renin concentration (RRC), and renal renin mRNA decreased by 88, 90, and 75%, respectively. In the low-sodium state, PRC, RRC, and renin mRNA increased 17-fold, 2.5-fold, and 4.5-fold, respectively. With captopril treatment during sodium depletion, PRC and renin mRNA increased 144-fold and 17.1-fold, respectively, and RRC increased 4.2-fold. The angiotensinogen mRNA level in the liver and kidney decreased in the high-sodium and increased in the low-sodium state to similar extents. Captopril treatment decreased angiotensinogen mRNA in both organs by about half. Plasma ANP and ANP mRNA decreased in the low- compared with the high-sodium state, whereas atrial ANP content was unaltered in both low- and high-sodium states. These results demonstrate that sodium intake affects the expression of the renin and angiotensinogen genes and slightly alters the expression of ANP gene.