Effects of atrial natriuretic factor on the renin-aldosterone system: in vivo and in vitro studies

We investigated the effect of high physiological plasma levels of human varies; is directly proportional to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on renin and aldosterone secretion in normal sodium deplete men. In short term infusion studies (2 or 8 h duration), ANF plasma levels as observed after sodium loading (50-70 pg/ml) lowered basal renin (PRA) and aldosterone, but had only a marginal effect on angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion. Preliminary results of a study with long term infusion (6 days) of ANF during a period of dietary sodium depletion argue against a significant tonic inhibitory effect of ANF on the renin-aldosterone system in the preceding period of sodium repletion: the plasma aldosterone response to sodium depletion was similar with and without ANF infusion. The second messenger of ANF for the direct inhibition of aldosterone secretion from zona glomerulosa cells is still unknown. To test the hypothesis, that cGMP is the second messenger of ANF, we produced a rise in intracellular cGMP in rat and rabbit zona glomerulosa cells using the unspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and the more cGMP specific phosphodiesterase specific inhibitor M + B2948 (Zaprinast). Both inhibitors simulated the action of ANF in suppressing steroid secretion and elevating cGMP levels. The results are compatible with the view that cGMP is of importance as a second messenger for ANF in adrenal zona glomerulosa cells. Selective inhibition of phosphodiesterases in combination with endopeptidase inhibition may be an interesting principle to enhance the action of endogenous and exogenous ANF.