Since it has been suggested that atrial receptor may be involved in the mechanism of extracellular volume regulation, it was shown that the granularity of atrial cardiocytes can be changed by water and salt depletion, and that an extract of cardiac atrial tissue, when injected intravenously into anesthetized rats, was shown to cause a large and rapid increase in renal excretion of sodium. Various natriuretic peptides were isolated and synthetized, and the effects were investigated by many workers. Most studies, however, have been carried out under anesthesia and there have teen some controversies over direct effect of the factor on the renal function. Therefore, it was attempted in this study to access the effects of an atrial extract and a synthetic natriuretic factor in unanesthetized rabbits. Intrarenal arterial infusion of atrial extract caused a rapid increase of urinary volume and excretion of sodium. Glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow were both increased with no change in filtration fraction. The ventricular extract produced no change in urinary excretion of electrolytes, nor in renal hemodynamics. Intrarenal infusion of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor caused increases of renal excretory rate of sodium, chloride and potassium, and FENa. Glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow increased. And free water clearance also increased. Accentuated excretory function correlated well with increased glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow during infusion and for 10 minutes following the cessation of the infusion. Renin secretion rate decreased during constant infusion of atrial natriuretic factor. However, no correlation was found with the changes in glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, or urinary excretion of sodium. These results suggest that atrial extract or atrial natriuretic factor induces changes in renal hemodynamics, as in excretion of electrolytes either indirectly through hemodynamic changes or directly by inhibiting tubular reabsorption. At the same time, renin secretory function is affected by the factor possibly through an unknown mechanism.
