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The present study was conducted to compare the mechanisms involved in the natriuretic response to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and proANF 31-67. The peptides were infused intravenously into anaesthetized rats at 10 pmol/min for 40 min. 2. Only ANF produced a significant decrease in arterial pressure; the maximum decrease was 11 mmHg (P < 0.05). 3. Both peptides produced significant increases in sodium excretion (P < 0.05) but only ANF increased the cyclic GMP (cGMP) excretion rate (P < 0.01) and neither peptide had a significant effect on plasma renin activity or glomerular filtration rate (GFR). ProANF 31-67 did not increase the plasma levels of ANF. 4. These results demonstrate that both ANF and proANF 31-67 have natriuretic effects via a tubular mechanism and suggest that the natriuretic effects of ANF are mediated by cGMP while the excretion, changes in GFR or a reduction in renin secretion.
Dietz et al. (Mon,) studied this question.