Partial Purification of a Factor from the Feline Small Intestine Causing NatriuresisIn Vivoand Inhibiting Rubidium Uptake into Renal CellsIn Vitro

Small intestine of cat was homogenized under denaturing condition (6.0 M guanidinium chloride) in the presence of protease inhibitors and molecules in the 500 to 10,000 Da mass range were obtained by sequential ultrafiltrations. This material was separated by gel chromatography (Sephadex G-25), where fractions eluted in the mass range of 500-1000 Da inhibited 86Rb uptake into kidney slices in vitro. Furthermore, the same fractions exhibited a natriuretic effect when given intravenously to anesthetized rats. The gel chromatography fractions were further purified by cation exchange chromatography (CM-Sephadex C-25). Fractions eluted with a NaCl solution of around 250 mM inhibited 86Rb uptake into renal cortical tissue in vitro and showed natriuretic activity when tested in vivo in rats. It is proposed that intestine contains a water soluble natriuretic factor with an apparent molecular mass of 500-1000 Da. This material evokes a natriuresis in vivo and inhibits 86Rb uptake in vitro.