Basal and volume expansion-stimulated plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations and hemodynamics in conscious rats: effects of SCH 39.370, an endopeptidase inhibitor, and C-ANF-(4-23), a clearance receptor ligand.

The effects of a neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor, SCH 39.370, and a clearance receptor ligand, C-atrial natriuretic factor-(4-23) [C-ANF-(4-23)] on the plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and hemodynamics under basal conditions and during increased circulating ANP levels produced by acute volume loading in conscious rats were studied. Measurements of plasma immunoreactive N-terminal fragment of pro-ANP (IR-NT-ANP) concentrations were used to characterize the endogenous secretion of the biologically active peptide in response to drug infusions and volume expansion. Infusion of SCH 39.370 increased plasma IR-ANP levels dose-dependently in conscious normotensive Wistar rats; maximal increases of 17% (P less than 0.02) after the dose of 3 mg/kg, iv, and 67% (P less than 0.002) after the dose of 10 mg/kg, iv, SCH 39.370 were noted. Similarly, infusion of C-ANF-(4-23) alone (30 micrograms/kg, iv bolus, followed by infusion of 3 micrograms/kg.min for 30 min) increased plasma IR-ANP levels by 37% (P less than 0.001). Given in combination, SCH 39.370 and C-ANF-(4-23) produced a greater increase in plasma IR-ANP concentration (83%; P less than 0.001) than when either substance was infused alone. Neither SCH 39.370 nor C-ANF-(4-23), alone or in combination, had any effect on basal plasma IR-NT-ANP concentrations. The combination reduced mean arterial pressure (8 +/- 2 mm Hg; P less than 0.01) and right atrial pressure (0.67 +/- 0.20 mm Hg; P less than 0.01), while administration of SCH 39.370 or C-ANF-(4-23) alone had no effect on mean arterial pressure, heart rate, or right atrial pressure in conscious rats. Acute volume expansion with 0.9% saline (1.1 ml/100 g BW) resulted in an increase in right atrial pressure (2.7 +/- 0.2 mm Hg; P less than 0.001) as well as in plasma IR-ANP (55%; P less than 0.001) and IR-NT-ANP concentrations (24%; P less than 0.03). Volume expansion in rats pretreated with SCH 39.370 resulted in a greater increase in plasma IR-ANP concentrations than in control animals; the relative ANP increases corresponding to the 2.5-mm Hg increase in right atrial pressure were 1.48-, 1.69-, and 2.28-fold in control, 3 mg/kg SCH 39.370-treated, and 10 mg/kg SCH 39.370-treated groups, respectively. When the relation between changes from control in plasma IR-ANP and right atrial pressure in response to acute volume expansion was analyzed in the presence of C-ANF-(4-23), no difference was noted between control and treated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)