Angiotensin II maintains, but does not mediate, isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

The role of angiotensin II (ANG II) in the development of isoproterenol (Iso)-induced cardiac hypertrophy was examined in rats. Iso increased cardiac mass, left ventricular RNA-to-DNA ratio, and the cardiac content of both myosin heavy chain and hydroxyproline in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that Iso-induced cardiac hypertrophy involves growth of both muscle and connective tissue. Cardiac hypertrophy reverted within 11-14 days after cessation of Iso.

Rare renal transcription of the atrial natriuretic factor gene in rats. Demonstration by polymerase chain reaction.

Renal synthesis of a peptide homologous to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) has been demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to determine if transcription of the ANF gene occurs in the kidney. Rat renal RNA was extracted from whole kidneys, and, separately, from the cortex and outer and inner medulla of rat kidneys.

Pharmacokinetics of ANF and urodilatin during cANF receptor blockade and neutral endopeptidase inhibition.

Urodilatin is a new member of the family of natriuretic peptides. It is of renal origin. Previous reports indicate that urodilatin is natriuretic in lower doses than atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-(99-126) and that it might be more effective than ANF in the treatment of cardiovascular edema.

Effects of riboflavin analogues and diuretics on the spontaneously hypertensive rat heart.

The chronic treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with 7,8-dimethyl-10-(3-chlorobenzyl) isoalloxazine [CBI], 7,8-diethyl-10-aminol isoalloxazine [DEAI], enduron (methyclothiazide) and amiloride were studied for their effects on blood pressure and cardiac contractile protein ATPase activities. After 35 weeks of treatment all the above antihypertensive agents showed a decrease in blood pressure in the SHR (p less than 0.01).

Atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA is regulated by glucocorticoids in vivo.

In these studies glucocorticoids were found to increase the plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) as well as the expression of the ANP gene in the Sprague-Dawley rat. Plasma ANP rose two-fold after 48 hrs. of exposure to dexamethasone (1 mg/day) in both intact and adrenalectomized animals.