Synthesis and renal activity of rat atrial granules depend on extracellular volume

Extracellular fluid volume (by 22Na) and extent of 4-h [3H]fucose incorporation into atrial-specific granules were measured in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/salt-loaded or Na-deficient rats. The natriuretic potency of extracts from their atria was also measured in assay rats. DOCA/salt-treated animals had a significantly greater extracellular volume, a significantly greater degree of fucose uptake, and a significantly more potent diuretic and natriuretic effect than did Na-deficient rats. These observations, together with the known decrease in atrial granularity with DOCA treatment, suggest that a chronic increase in extracellular fluid volume is associated with increased synthesis and metabolism of atrial natriuretic factor. They also confirm the finding reported by others that granularity and natriuretic potency are not always directly related. It may be that visible granules represent a peptide storage form that requires further processing to become natriuretic.