Capillary permeability: atrial peptide action is independent of "protein effect"

Perfusion of exchange microvessels with the vasoactive hormone, atrial natriuretic peptide (AP), acutely and reversibly elevates hydraulic conductivity (Lp) by mechanisms that are, as yet, unknown. This, the first of two studies to characterize AP responses when perfusate composition was altered, specifically focuses on the action of AP when perfusate albumin was lowered to change the transcapillary barrier properties for water by passive mechanisms (protein effect). Perfusion of frog (Rana pipiens) mesenteric microvessels with 1 nM AP in 10 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (BSA) elevated Lp by a median 2.1-fold (range 1.2-2.7, n = 13) from control levels (10 mg/ml BSA). Reduction of perfusate albumin from 10 to 1 mg/ml elicited a small rise in Lp (1.8-fold, n = 10); Lp rose a further 2.1-fold (n = 6) when 1 nM AP was added to 1 mg/ml BSA. Likewise, protein-free perfusion elevated Lp from a median 2.2 to 5.1 X 10(-7) cm.s-1.cmH2O-1 (n = 11); 1 nM AP in protein-free perfusate elevated Lp a further 2.1-fold (n = 8). Thus, regardless of protein content, the response to the peptide was a consistent, twofold increase in exchange vessel Lp (n = 27). These data are consistent with the suggestion that the AP-activated rise in Lp (twofold) occurs via an increase in the effective area of the transcapillary pathway for water without influencing the selectivity properties of the paracellular, albumin-sensitive portion of the barrier.