In vitro hormone-stimulated atrial natriuretic factor release is increased in experimental renal failure

The effects of hormone stimulation on atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) release in atria were studied in experimental renal failure rats. In vitro experiments were done in two groups of male Wistar rats. Group 1 rats were sham operated, and group 2 rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy. Overall glomerular filtration rate was significantly reduced (1.98 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.75 +/- 0.05 ml/min, p < 0.001) in nephrectomized rats. These rats were also mildly uremic [blood urea nitrogen (BUN): 18 +/- 0.6 vs. 60 +/- 3.9 mg/dl p < 0.001]. The right atria of partially nephrectomized and sham-operated rats were isolated and perfused in a modified Langendorff apparatus to measure ANF release rate. Experiments were done in two phases. In the initial phase, spontaneous release of ANF was measured. In the second phase, angiotensin II (10(-6) M), vasopressin (10(-6) M) or endothelin (ET 1; 10(-6) M) were added into the perfusate. Spontaneous ANF release by the atria of renal failure rats was significantly elevated compared to intact rats. A significant positive correlation was found between ANF release rate and BUN (r = 0.65, p < 0.01). This suggests that the increase in ANF release by the atria of chronic renal failure (CRF) rats is related to the severity of renal impairment. Angiotensin II, vasopressin and endothelin induced exaggerated increases in ANF release by the atria of CRF rats. These results show that a shift in stimulus response curve is present and can contribute to the observed increase in plasma ANF levels in CRF rats.