Atriopeptins: correlation between renal vasodilation and natriuresis

The effect of atrial peptides on renal function was studied in intact anesthetized dogs. A quantitative comparison of bolus intra-arterial injections demonstrated a rank order potency as renal vasodilators and natriuretic/diuretic agents as follows: ser-leu-arg-arg-atriopeptiin III (SLRR-APIII) greater than high molecular weight artrial peptide greater than or equal to atriopeptin (AP)III = APII much greater than API (essentially inactive). A sustained infusion of APIII was employed in order to study the temporal and quantitative correlation of the renal functional changes induced by the atrial peptide. Both intra-arterial and intravenous administration of the peptide produced concentration-dependent increases in renal blood flow, urine volume, sodium excretion, and osmotic clearance. Infusion of APIII into the renal artery did not alter systemic blood pressure or heart rate. Intravenous infusions of APIII required 10 times higher doses to induce the changes in renal vascular resistance and electrolyte excretion, and a fall in blood pressure and tachycardia resulted. The natriuretic-diuretic effect of the atriopeptins appears to be closely associated with renal vasodilation, exhibiting a positive linear correlation between the peptide-induced changes in sodium excretion and changes in renal blood flow.