Natriuretic factor exerts a ouabain-like activity in the rat colon in vitro

A previously described natriuretic factor (NF) found in urine from man receiving a high salt diet has been postulated to be of hormonal nature. This factor inhibits Na-K ATPase and binds to ouabain receptors. In order to investigate if NF exerts its physiological activity through the Na-K ouabain sensitive pump, its capacity for inhibiting sodium transport has been tested in an in vitro rat colon preparation. Colonic mucosa from rats fed 0.55, 3.55, and 6.55 mmol Na a day were mounted in an Ussing chamber. Inhibition of short-circuit current (SCC) and PD was observed only when NF was added to the serosal side of the membrane and was similar to that observed with ouabain. In rats fed a low or normal salt diet, inhibition of SCC and PD starts after a lag period of 10 min and reaches its maximum inhibition (about 60%) after 90 min. By contrast colonic mucosa from rats receiving a high salt diet exhibits a higher SCC and PD (basal values) and inhibition of the sodium transport starts immediately after addition of NF to the bathing solution. The data demonstrate the similarity of physiological action of ouabain and natriuretic factor on the sodium transport by the colon in vitro. Experiments with rats receiving a high salt diet suggest that by contrast to the kidney, NaCl-dependent cotransport is strongly stimulated by the salt intake in the colon and could be directly inhibited by ouabain or a ouabain-like substance i.e. NF.