Heublein, Denise M.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a vasoactive and antimitogenic peptide that is structurally similar but genetically distinct from atrial natriuretic peptide. While first discovered in the brain, CNP has been shown to be produced by endothelial cells and may function in a paracrine and autocrine fashion in the control of vascular tone. Recently, CNP immunoreactivity and B-type natriuretic peptide receptors (NPR-B), for which CNP is a specific ligand, have been identified in the kidney. The present study was designed to determine whether renal epithelial cells produce and secrete CNP and whether CNP immunoreactivity is present in canine kidney. Opossum kidney (OK) cells that express proximal tubular cell characteristics were incubated for 6 h in fetal calf serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM). CNP immunoreactivity was measured in the preincubation and 6-h conditioned media by radioimmunoassay (RIA) using a specific antibody to CNP-22. Furthermore the molecular form of this CNP-like protein was determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and intracellular localization of the CNP immunoreactivity was determined by immunohistochemical staining. CNP immunoreactivity was also determined in renal tissue from dogs subjected to saline or endothelin infusion. Six-hour incubation in DMEM resulted in accumulation of CNP immunoreactivity (baseline below detection level vs. 6 h = 117.3 +/- 8.3 pg/ml, P < 0.001). Intracellular CNP concentration determined after sonication was 1.9 +/- 0.2 micrograms/g protein, and immunohistochemical staining for CNP was markedly positive in the cytoplasm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Recent studies suggest that the autonomic nervous system, when activated by respiratory alkalosis, may attenuate the renal effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). We evaluated the renal responses to infusion of ANF during acute exposure to hypocapnia in the presence or absence of the renal nerves in anesthetized rats. In this study, renal function during hypocapnia was assessed and was compared with renal function during normocapnia produced by normal ventilation as well as by hyperventilation. Rats were divided into three experimental groups (n = 8): 1) a normally ventilated normocapnic (NV-N) (control) group; 2) a hyperventilated normocapnic (HV-N) group; and 3) a hyperventilated hypocapnic (HV-H) group. The innervated (Inn) right kidney served as a control for the contralateral denervated (DNX) kidney. In Inn and DNX kidneys of HV-H rats, an infusion of ANF (12 micrograms.kg-1.h-1) produced a smaller increase in urine flow rate (delta V: 9.8 +/- 3.9 and 1.3 +/- 4.2 microliters/min) and in fractional Na excretion (delta FENa: 1.35 +/- 0.52 and 0.73 +/- 0.58%) compared with NV-N rats (delta V: 37.6 +/- 4.9 and 59.9 +/- 9.7 microliters/min; delta FENa: 3.24 +/- 0.37 and 3.88 +/- 0.65%). No differences were observed in delta V and delta FENa in Inn kidney between HV-H and HV-N groups; however, the attenuated natriuretic and diuretic responses to ANF in DNX kidney of HV-H rats were also observed in comparison with HV-N rats (delta V: 27.4 +/- 4.3 microliters/min; delta FENa: 2.94 +/- 0.48%). ANF induced natriuresis in DNX kidney to the same degree in NV-N and HV-N rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The objective of these experiments was to test the hypothesis that renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) plays an important role in the natriuretic effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in anesthetized Wistar rats. Three groups of male Wistar rats were used in this study. Two groups were infused with different doses of ANF, and the third group was a time control. In all groups, one kidney was acutely decapsulated, and the contralateral kidney was used as control. Renal decapsulation was used to control RIHP. In one group, 3 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 of synthetic ANF were infused intravenously (iv) and produced a plasma level of ANF (PANF) of 810 +/- 186.5 pg/ml. This pharmacological dose of ANF produced a significant increase in RIHP of the control kidney from 9.5 +/- 0.8 to 11.1 +/- 1.3 mmHg (P less than 0.05) but not in the decapsulated kidney [from 7.1 +/- 0.6 to 8.1 +/- 0.9 mmHg, not significant (NS)]. However, the changes in fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and urine flow rate (V) as a result of ANF infusion were similar in both kidneys. In the decapsulated kidney, FENa and V increased by 1.53 +/- 0.41% and 26.21 +/- 5.98 microliters/min, respectively, from control to ANF infusion periods. In the control kidney, FENa and V increased by 1.60 +/- 0.28% and 31.61 +/- 5.87 microliters/min, respectively, from control to ANF infusion periods. In the second group, 1 microgram.kg-1.h-1 iv of synthetic ANF was infused and produced 165.2 +/- 29.3 pg/ml of PANF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has exaggerated natriuretic and diuretic responses to acute volume expansion in comparison with the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. The objective of these experiments was to determine the role of renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in these natriuretic and diuretic responses of the SHR and the WKY rat. Two groups each of SHRs and WKY rats were used in this study. In one group of each, both kidneys were acutely decapsulated, and in the remaining two groups the renal capsules were left intact (control). In both control SHR (n = 6) and WKY (n = 7) groups, volume expansion was associated with a significant increase in RIHP (from 5.0 +/- 0.5 to 7.1 +/- 0.6 mmHg in SHR group and from 6.0 +/- 0.5 to 9.4 +/- 0.3 mmHg in WKY rat group) and a high level of plasma ANF (PANF). The increase in RIHP was significantly lower in the control SHR group compared with that of control WKY rat group (2.1 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.3 mmHg; P less than 0.05), whereas PANF was significantly higher in the SHR group (848 +/- 151 pg/ml) compared with that of the WKY group (503 +/- 37 pg/ml) at the end of the volume-expansion period. When the increase in RIHP that occurs during volume expansion in the SHR is blunted by acute bilateral renal decapsulation, the natriuretic and diuretic responses are significantly attenuated despite levels of PANF that are similar to those measured in the control SHR group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Studies were performed in three groups of anesthetized dogs to compare the structurally related peptides atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). Group 1 (n = 5) and group 2 (n = 4) received intravenous infusions of CNP or ANP respectively at doses of 10 ng.kg-1.min-1 and 100 ng.kg-1.min-1. Group 3 (n = 5) received CNP intrarenally at doses of 1 ng.kg-1.min-1 and 5 ng.kg-1.min-1. Intravenous infusion of CNP resulted in a greater decrease in blood pressure when compared with ANP. This marked decrease in blood pressure observed with CNP was associated with a significantly smaller increase in guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). In contrast, neither intravenous nor intrarenal administration of CNP was associated with natriuresis as observed with ANP. The current study also demonstrates the presence of CNP immunoreactivity in canine plasma at low picomolar concentrations. Further characterization by gel permeation chromatography demonstrated that circulating CNP immunoreactivity corresponds to the 22-amino acid form of the peptide. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that CNP circulates in low picomolar concentrations and is potently vasoactive in vivo, suggesting a potential role in the regulation of vascular tone.

Adrenomedullin (ADM), originally discovered in human pheochromocytoma, is also of renal cell origin and has natriuretic and diuretic actions. The present study was designed to investigate the role of prostaglandins and renal nerves in the renal hemodynamic and natriuretic actions ofADM. ADM was administered intrarenally (1, 5 and 25 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1)) with and without prostaglandin inhibition (meclofenamate, 5 mg/kg intravenous bolus) in anesthetized normal mongrel dogs (n = 5, each). To elucidate the role of renal nerves, ADM was administered intrarenally to the denervated kidney in five dogs. ADM mediated a natriuretic action via increases in glomerular filtration rate and decreases in distal tubular sodium reabsorption, which was attenuated by renal denervation and completely abolished by prostaglandin inhibition. The renal vasodilatation induced by ADM was attenuated by meclofenamate, as well as by renal denervation, although not significantly. Additionally, renal nerves mediated hemodynamic effects of hypertension that were produced by intrarenal infusion of ADM. This study establishes an important mechanistic role for renal prostaglandins as a mediator of ADM-mediated natriuresis at the level of the glomerulus and terminal nephron.

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a newly described 52-amino acid peptide originally isolated from extracts of human pheochromocytoma and, more recently, detected in human plasma. Based on the report that ADM mRNA and immunoreactivity are present in the kidney, the current study was designed to determine the renal distribution of ADM by immunohistochemistry and the renal biological actions of ADM. In the immunohistochemical studies, the present investigation demonstrated the localization of ADM in glomeruli, cortical distal tubules, and medullary collecting duct cells of the normal canine kidney. In the in vivo studies, ADM was administered (0.25 ng.kg-1.min-1 in group I and 1, 5, and 25 ng.kg-1.min-1 in group II) intrarenally in normal mongrel dogs with the contralateral kidney receiving only saline vehicle. Intrarenal infusion of ADM resulted in a marked diuretic and natriuretic response, whereas the contralateral kidney showed no renal effects. These significant natriuresis and diuresis in the ADM kidney were associated with increases in glomerular filtration rate and fractional sodium excretion and with a decrease in distal tubular sodium reabsorption. Intrarenal infusion of ADM also caused an increase in mean arterial blood pressure and a decrease in heart rate. Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide, renin activity, aldosterone, and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate were not changed during the infusion of ADM. The current study demonstrates that ADM is present in renal glomerular and tubular cells and is a potent natriuretic peptide that may play an important role in the regulation of sodium excretion.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the biological actions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) are mediated via increases in its intracellular second messenger guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). Because cGMP egresses rapidly from target cells after ANF binding to particulate guanylate cyclase-linked receptors, extracellular cGMP may be a useful biological marker for the action of ANF in vivo under pathophysiological conditions. The present studies tested the hypothesis that the avid sodium retention and renal ANF resistance characteristic of chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) are associated with attenuated renal cGMP responses to ANF. We assessed the natriuretic and cGMP responses to endogenous and exogenous ANF during the evolution of CHF produced by 6 days of rapid ventricular pacing in conscious dogs (n = 6). Simultaneous measurement of plasma and urinary cGMP concentrations allowed determination of the net renal generation of cGMP, an indicator of the renal contribution to total urinary cGMP excretion. In early CHF, increased sodium excretion and renal cGMP production were observed in association with increases in plasma ANF. Exogenous ANF administration (10 micrograms/kg iv) before CHF also produced parallel increases in sodium excretion and renal cGMP production. In more advanced CHF produced by 6 days of pacing, we observed avid sodium retention in association with reversal of earlier increases in renal cGMP production despite progressive increases in circulating ANF. Natriuretic and renal cGMP responses to exogenous ANF were similarly attenuated in chronic CHF. These studies suggest that 1) renal cGMP production is a useful biological marker for the renal natriuretic action of ANF; 2) endogenous ANF contributes to the maintenance of sodium excretion in early CHF via increases in renal cGMP production; and 3) the avid sodium retention and renal ANF resistance in advanced CHF are, in part, linked to attenuated renal cGMP responses to endogenous and exogenous ANF.

Studies were performed in anesthetized dogs to determine plasma endothelin (ET) concentrations in the presence and absence of experimental congestive heart failure (CHF) produced by rapid ventricular pacing for 8 days. These studies were also designed to determine the effect of exogenous low-dose ET upon integrated cardiorenal and endocrine function in the presence and absence of CHF. In these studies, plasma ET was significantly elevated in CHF (3.25 +/- 0.39 pg/ml) compared with normal (1.03 +/- 0.21 pg/ml) or sham-operated (1.08 +/- 0.27 pg/ml) groups. Compared with the control group, which was characterized by a significant cardiorenal vasoconstrictor response to low-dose ET, a significant attenuation of the vasoconstrictor and antinatriuretic actions of ET was observed in the CHF group. Despite these differential responses, exogenous ET suppressed plasma renin activity (PRA) and activated aldosterone in both control and CHF groups. Thus these studies demonstrate for the first time that experimental CHF is characterized by elevated plasma ET in association with an attenuated cardiorenal response to exogenous ET. In contrast, low-dose ET inhibited PRC and activated aldosterone in the presence and absence of experimental CHF.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a circulating 28-amino acid peptide that functions in the regulation of sodium homeostasis and vascular tone. ANF metabolism occurs via degradation by neutral endopeptidase 24.11 and binding to the ANF clearance receptor (ANFR-C). The present study was performed on anesthetized dogs, normal (control) and with experimental congestive heart failure (CHF), and was designed to investigate the ability of an ANF ligand specific for ANFR-C [C-ANF-(4-23)] to increase plasma ANF and also to evaluate the influence of ANFR-C on regional pulmonary and renal ANF clearances. C-ANF-(4-23) increased plasma ANF in controls (51 +/- 15 to 123 +/- 39 pg/ml; P < 0.05) and further increased plasma ANF in CHF dogs (242 +/- 30 to 327 +/- 34; P < 0.05), demonstrating that ANFR-C plays a significant role in the overall metabolism and clearance of ANF, even with chronically elevated ANF. Infusion of C-ANF-(4-23) produced a marked decrease in ANF pulmonary clearance (PCLANF) in controls (1,018 +/- 405 to -286 +/- 383 ml/min; P < 0.05); however, PCLANF was not altered by the ANF ligand in CHF dogs [-137 +/- 174 to -106 +/- 226 ml/min; not significant (NS)], suggesting an occupancy of ANFR-C or a downregulation of this receptor with chronically elevated plasma ANF. ANF renal clearance (RCLANF) was not altered in either group by C-ANF-(4-23) infusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)