Our previous studies have shown that stimulation of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region of the brain increases atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release, whereas lesions of the AV3V region or median eminence of the tuber cinereum block the release of ANP caused by blood volume expansion. These results suggest that participation of the central nervous system is critical to this response. The role of baroreceptors in the response was evaluated in the current research by studying the response of plasma ANP to blood volume expansion induced by intravenous injection of hypertonic saline solution (0.3 M NaCl, 2 ml/100 g of body weight, over 1 min) in conscious, freely moving male rats. Plasma samples were assayed for ANP by radioimmunoassay. In sham-operated rats, blood volume expansion induced a rapid increase in plasma ANP: the concentration peaked at 5min and remained elevated at 15 min after saline injection. One week after deafferentation of the carotid-aortic baroreceptors, basal plasma ANP concentrations were highly significantly decreased on comparison with values of sham-operated rats; plasma ANP levels S min after blood volume expansion in the deafferented rats were greatly reduced. Unilateral right vagotomy reduced resting levels of plasma ANP but not the response to blood volume expansion; resting concentrations of plasma ANP and responses to expansion were normal in bilaterally vagotomized rats. In rats that had undergone renal deafferentation, resting levels of ANP were normal but the response to blood volume expansion was significantly suppressed. The evidence indicates that afferent impulses via the right vagus nerve may be important under basal conditions, but they are not required for the ANP release induced by blood volume expansion. In contrast, baroreceptor impulses from the carotid-aortic sinus regions and the kidney are important pathways involved in the neuroendocrine control of ANP release. The evidence from these experiments and our previous stimulation and lesion studies indicates that the ANP release in response to volume expansion is mediated by afferent baroreceptor input to the AV3V region, which mediates the increased ANP release via activation of the hypothalamic ANP neuronal system. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), which is primarily localized to the atrial myocytes, plays an important role in control of body fluid homeostasis by decreasing salt and water intake and increasing salt and water excretion (1-7). When the blood volume is expanded-for example, by intravenous injection of saline solution-ANP is released into the circulation and induces natriuresis, in part by direct action on the kidneys (8, 9). Natriuresis is also promoted by direct suppression of the release of aldosterone from the adrenal glomerulosa by ANP (1). ANP also inhibits the release of renin from the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidneys (10, 11), which decreases the release of angiotensin II, further decreasing the release of aldosterone. Since angiotensin II is an important mediator of sa...

This study was designed to investigate the effects of bilateral renal denervation on sodium and water balance, the renin-angiotensin system, and systemic blood pressure in unrestrained conscious rats maintained on a normal- or low-sodium diet. Renal denervation was proven by chemical and functional tests. Both bilaterally denervated rats (n = 18) and sham-denervated rats (n = 15) maintained positive sodium balance while on a normal sodium intake. Both groups were in negative sodium balance for 1 day after dietary sodium restriction was instituted but were in positive sodium balance for the following 9 days. Systolic blood pressure was higher in sham-denervated (115 +/- 3 mmHg) than in denervated rats (102 +/- 3 mmHg) while on a normal diet (P less than 0.05) and remained so during sodium restriction. Plasma renin concentration (PRC) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were significantly diminished in the denervated rats during normal sodium intake (P less than 0.05). After dietary sodium restriction, PRC increased in both groups but remained significantly lower in the denervated rats (P less than 0.05). Following dietary sodium restriction, PAC also increased significantly to levels that were similar in both groups of rats. These results demonstrate that awake unrestrained growing rats can maintain positive sodium balance on a low sodium intake even in the absence of the renal nerves. However, efferent renal nerve activity influenced plasma renin activity in these animals.

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We investigated possible mechanisms for the natriuresis seen after injection of the cholinergic drug carbamylcholine chloride (carbachol) into the lateral hypothalamus of conscious rats. In unrestrained rats injection of 1 microgram of carbachol in 1 microliter of 0.15 M NaCl solution through a permanently implanted cannula produced a significant natriuresis and kaliuresis. Injection of vehicle produced no changes. The same animals were then subjected to bilateral renal denervation (n = 13) or sham denervation (n = 13) and injected with the same solutions 1 wk later. Carbachol injection produced a natriuresis (P less than 0.0001) and a kaliuresis (P less than 0.01) in all animals studied. Both responses were of a magnitude similar to the responses seen before denervation. We studied other rats while awake but restrained, which permitted the performance of clearance studies and blood pressure measurements. Injection of carbachol produced diuresis, natriuresis, and kaliuresis in all rats, with no change in p-aminohippurate clearance and only transient change in inulin clearance. An increase in blood pressure occurred in some but not all rats. The response in rats with bilaterally denervated kidneys (n = 7) was similar to that of rats with innervated kidneys (n = 5). The natriuresis seen after cholinergic stimulation of the hypothalamus in conscious rats is not primarily mediated by inhibition of renal nerve activity and can be dissociated from changes in blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow.