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Biomedical subjects

C J Winters

Publications and source records attributed to C J Winters.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pharmacokinetic characterization of the postdistribution phase of prohormone atrial natriuretic peptides amino acids 1-98, 31-67, and atrial natriuretic factor during and after rapid right ventricular pacing in dogs.

Release rate constants and disappearance rate constants were determined for three atrial natriuretic peptides consisting of amino acids 1-98 (i.e., proANF 1-98), the midportion of the ANF prohormone consisting of amino acids 31-67 (i.e., proANF 31-67) and amino acids 99-126 (i.e., ANF) after right ventricular pacing at 100, 125, 150, and 180 bpm in six male mongrel dogs. Right atrial and femoral vein blood was obtained at baseline, and at 5, 12, 19, 26, 56, 86, 116, 146, and 206 minutes after right ventricular pacing. Resulting plasma concentration-time data derived parameters were compared. The disappearance rate constants for atrial and femoral venous proANF 1-98 were 0.0144 +/- 0.0087 (X +/- SD) and 0.0175 +/- 0.0075 min-1, respectively (t = 0.6158) and release rate constants were 0.1569 +/- 0.1504 and 0.0670 +/- 0.0393 min-1, respectively (t = 1.8269; P greater than .05). The proANF 31-67 disappearance rate constants were 0.0139 +/- 0.0082 and 0.0148 +/- 0.0132 min-1, respectively (t = 0.1192) and release rate constants were 0.0957 +/- 0.0414 and 0.1984 +/- 0.1762 min-1, respectively (t = 1.4812). The ANF elimination phase disappearance rate constants were 0.0663 +/- 0.0273 and 0.1116 +/- 0.0539 min-1 (t = 2.0923, P greater than .05), respectively, and the release rate constants were 0.1335 +/- 0.0532 and 0.1638 +/- 0.0520 min-1 (t = 0.7878, P greater than .05), respectively. These data indicate that proANF 1-98 and proANF 31-67 circulating beta post-distribution half-lives are approximately 45 minutes whereas beta half-life of ANF is 10 minutes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Cl- channels in basolateral renal medullary vesicles: V. Comparison of basolateral mTALH Cl- channels with apical Cl- channels from jejunum and trachea.

Cl- channels from basolaterally-enriched rabbit outer renal medullary membranes are activated either by increases in intracellular Cl- activity or by intracellular protein kinase A (PKA). Phosphorylation by PKA, however, is not obligatory for channel activity since channels can be activated by intracellular Cl- in the absence of PKA. The PKA requirement for activation of Cl- channels in certain secretory epithelia is, in contrast, obligatory. In the present studies, we examined the effects of PKA and intracellular Cl- concentrations on the properties of Cl- channels obtained either from basolaterally-enriched vesicles derived from highly purified suspensions of mouse medullary thick ascending limb (mTALH) segments, or from apical membrane vesicles obtained from two secretory epithelia, bovine trachea and rabbit small intestine. Our results indicate that the Cl- channels from mTALH suspensions were virtually identical to those previously described from rabbit outer renal medulla. In particular, an increase in intracellular (trans) Cl- concentration from 2 to 50 mM increased both channel activity (Po) and channel conductance (gCl, pS). Likewise, trans PKA increased mTALH Cl- channel activity by increasing the activity of individual channels when the trans solutions were 2 mM Cl. Under the latter circumstance, PKA did not activate quiescent channels, nor did it affect gCl. Moreover, when mTALH Cl- channels were inactivated by reducing cis Cl- concentrations to 50 mM, cis PKA addition did not affect Po. These results are consistent with the view that these Cl- channels originated from basolateral membranes of the mTALH. Cl- channels from apical vesicles from trachea and small intestine were completely insensitive to alterations in trans Cl- concentrations and demonstrated markedly different responses to PKA. In the absence of PKA, tracheal Cl- channels inactivated spontaneously after a mean time of 8 min; addition of PKA to trans solutions reactivated these channels. The intestinal Cl- channels did not inactivate with time. Trans PKA addition activated new channels with no effect on basal channel activity. Thus the regulation of Cl- channel activity by both intracellular Cl- and by PKA differ in basolateral mTALH Cl- channels compared to apical Cl- channels from either the tracheal or small intestine.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Cl- channels in basolateral renal medullary membrane vesicles: IV. Analogous channel activation by Cl- or cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

We examined the interactions of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and varying aqueous Cl- concentrations in modulating the activity of Cl- channels obtained by fusing basolaterally enriched renal outer medullary vesicles into planar lipid bilayers. Under the present experimental conditions, the cis and trans solutions face the extracellular and intracellular aspects of these Cl- channels, respectively. Raising the trans Cl- concentration from 2 to 50 mM increased the channel open-time probability, raised the unit channel conductance, and affected the voltage-independent determinant (delta G) of channel activity but not the gating charge (Winters, C.J., Reeves, W.B., Andreoli, T.E. 1990. J. Membrane Biol. 118:269-278). With 2 mM trans KCl, trans addition of the catalytic subunit of PKA (C-PKA) plus ATP increased channel open-time probability and altered the voltage-independent determinant of channel activity without affecting either unit channel conductance or gating charge. The effect was ATP specific, did not occur with (C-PKA plus ATP) addition to cis solutions, and was abolished by denaturing C-PKA. Finally, (C-PKA plus ATP) activation of channel activity was not detected with relatively high (50 mM) trans Cl- concentrations. These data indicate that (C-PKA plus ATP) might modulate Cl- channel activity by phosphorylation at or near the Cl(-)-sensitive site on the intracellular face of these channels.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Exercise increases the circulating concentration of the N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone in normal individuals.

Recently two peptides consisting of amino acids (aa) 1 to 30 and 31 to 67 of the N-terminus of the 126 aa prohormone of atrial natriuretic factor (proANF), as well as atrial natriuretic factor (ANF, aa 99 to 126; C-terminus), were found to have vasodilatory and natriuretic properties. These peptides, as well as ANF, circulate in humans as part of the N-terminus of the prohormone. To determine the effect of graded exercise on the circulating concentrations of the N-terminus and C-terminus of the ANF prohormone in normal persons, 12 healthy individuals (mean age 45 +/- 2 years) were evaluated before, for 2 hours after, and during bicycle exercise at a work loads of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and 175 W. Both the N- and C-terminus of the ANF prohormone were released simultaneously with graded exercise in direct proportion to the intensity of the work load, measured objectively via maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), respiratory quotient, and heart rate. Both the N-terminus and C-terminus of the ANF prohormone had strong positive correlations (p less than 0.001) with blood pressure, heart rate, VO2max, and respiratory quotient. Following exercise, the C-terminus returned to preexercise levels within 30 minutes, while the N-terminus remained significantly elevated at 30 and 60 minutes postexercise, reflecting the longer half-life of the N-terminus in the circulation.

Adult

Acute and sustained release of the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone N-terminus with acute myocardial infarction.

This investigation was designed to determine if acute ischemic cardiac injury causes the release of the 98 amino acid (aa) N-terminus of the 126 aa atrial natriuretic factor prohormone (pro ANF). Seventeen patients with acute myocardial infarction, but without clinical evidence of congestive heart failure, had their circulating concentrations of the whole N-terminus (ie, pro ANF 1-98), the midportion of the N-terminus of the ANF prohormone (consisting of aa 31-67; pro ANF 31-67) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) monitored daily for 14 days. All seventeen patients had elevated plasma pro ANF 1-98 and pro ANF 31-67 concentrations at the time of presentation. Maximal increase on day three post-infarction correlated with the size of infarction estimated by the maximal CPK (r = 0.675; p less than 0.05) but did not correlate with the amount of left ventricular dysfunction. Another three patients with acute myocardial infarction were treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). The measured pro ANF 1-98 and pro ANF 31-67 levels in these patients were within our normal range and significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than seen in patients with acute myocardial infarction not given thrombolytic therapy. Six patients with unstable angina, likewise, had normal circulating pro ANFs 1-98 and 31-67 concentrations during prolonged episodes of chest pain. These data suggest that myocardial necrosis but not ischemia triggers the release of the entire 126 aa prohormone.

Adult

Increased release of the N-terminal and C-terminal portions of the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone during immersion-induced central hypervolemia in cirrhotic humans.

The role of peptides from the N-terminus and C-terminus of the 126 amino acid (a.a.) atrial natriuretic factors (ANF) prohormone in modulating renal sodium and water handling in cirrhotic patients has not been defined. Eight cirrhotic individuals were evaluated; their mean basal circulating concentration of the C-terminus (a.a. 99-126; i.e., ANF) was 25 +/- 2 fmol/ml, not different from the 22 +/- 1 fmol/ml value found in 54 normal volunteers. On the other hand, the basal circulating concentrations of the whole N-terminus (a.a. 1-98) and the midportion of the N-terminus (namely a.a. 31-67; pro ANF 31-67) of the ANF prohormone in these cirrhotic subjects of 704 +/- 52 and 654 +/- 83 fmol/ml were significantly elevated (p less than 0.05; ANOVA) in comparison to control values (531 +/- 25, 317 +/- 22 fmol/ml, respectively). Following equilibration on a 10 mmol/day sodium diet, the responsiveness of the N-terminus and C-terminus of ANF prohormone to 3 h of water immersion, which induces marked acute central volume expansion, was evaluated in these 8 seated cirrhotic patients. There was a prompt increase in the circulating concentrations of immunoreactive (ir) pro ANF 1-98 (whole N-terminus), ir pro ANF 31-67, and ir ANF (C-terminus) within 15 min of immersion (p less than 0.05; ANOVA) compared to their preimmersion values. The response of circulating ir pro ANF 1-98, pro ANF 31-67, and ANF concentrations in these 8 cirrhotic subjects to immersion was significantly greater (p less than 0.05; ANOVA) than that of 7 healthy volunteers undergoing an identical 3-hour immersion study. With cessation of immersion, the C-terminus decreased within 30 min to a concentration not significantly different from preimmersion values, whereas the N-terminus and pro ANF 31-67 remained significantly elevated after 1 h.

Adult

Change in plasma immunoreactive N-terminus, C-terminus, and 4,000-dalton midportion of atrial natriuretic factor prohormone with hemodialysis.

Plasma concentrations of the immunoreactive N-terminus, C-terminus and 4,000-dalton midportion of the N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) prohormone were measured before and after hemodialysis in 13 patients with end-stage renal disease. There was a significant (p less than 0.001) fall in the mean plasma concentration of the C-terminus (i.e. ANF, amino acids 99-126 of the prohormone) from 123 +/- 25 to 80 +/- 22 fmol/ml (mean +/- SEM) with dialysis. The whole N-terminus, on the other hand, increased from 9,336 +/- 2,011 to 11,021 +/- 2,134 fmol/ml after dialysis (p less than 0.002). Pro ANF 31-67 (i.e. amino acids 31-67 of the prohormone) increased postdialysis from 27,775 +/- 4,300 to 31,040 +/- 4,840 fmol/ml (p less than 0.003). Only 1.5% of pro ANF 1-98 and pro ANF 31-67 were cleared by the dialyzer membrane while 15% of ANF crossed the membrane. Thus, with hemodialysis the C-terminus decreases while the N-terminus and pro ANF 31-67 from the midportion of the N-terminus of the ANF prohormone increase in plasma which is partially explained by their respective abilities to cross the dialyzer membrane.

Aged

Isolation and characterization of cloned cDNAs encoding human liver chlordecone reductase.

Chlordecone (Kepone), a toxic organochlorine pesticide, undergoes bioreduction to chlordecone alcohol in human liver. This reaction is controlled by a cytosolic enzyme, chlordecone reductase (CDR), which may be of the aldo-keto reductase family of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes [Molowa et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 12624-12627]. To further investigate the primary structure and expression of CDR, we screened a library of human liver cDNAs cloned in the expression vector lambda gt11 and isolated an 800 bp cDNA that directed synthesis of a fusion protein recognized by polyclonal anti-CDR antibodies. Using this cDNA as a probe, we screened two human liver cDNA libraries and found several 1.2-kb cDNAs which would code for a polypeptide with 308 residues (35.8 kDa). However, a similar full-length cDNA, possibly the transcript of a pseudogene, contained an in-frame nonsense codon. The deduced protein sequence of CDR showed 65% similarity to the primary structure of human liver aldehyde reductase and 66% similarity to the inferred protein sequence of rat lens aldose reductase. A search of GenBank revealed significant nucleotide similarity to a cDNA coding for bovine lung prostaglandin f synthase and to a partial cDNA coding for frog lens rho-crystallin. Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA displayed between 45 and 65 kilobases of DNA hybridizable to CDR cDNA and demonstrated several restriction fragment length polymorphisms among 26 individuals. Northern blot analysis of RNA from human, gerbil, rabbit, hamster, mouse, and rat livers disclosed hybridization with CDR cDNA only for the first three species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alcohol Oxidoreductases

Cl- channels in basolateral renal medullary membranes: III. Determinants of single-channel activity.

We evaluated the effects of varying aqueous Cl- concentrations, and of the arginyl- and lysyl-specific reagent phenylglyoxal (PGO), on the properties of Cl- channels fused from basolaterally enriched renal medullary vesicles into planar lipid bilayers. The major channel properties studied were the anion selectivity sequence, anionic requirements for channel activity, and the effects of varying Cl- concentrations and/or PGO on the relation between holding voltage (VH, mV) and open-time probability (Po). Reducing cis Cl- concentrations, in the range 50-320 mM, produced a linear reduction in fractional open time (Po) with a half-maximal reduction in Po at cis Cl- approximately 170 mM. Channel activity was sustained by equimolar replacement of cis Cl- with F-, but not with impermeant isethionate. For trans solutions, the relation between Cl- concentration and Po was negatively cooperative, with 50% reduction in po at 10 mM Cl-. Reducing cis Cl- had no effect on the gating charge (Z) for channel opening, but altered significantly the voltage-independent energy (delta G) for channel opening. Phenylglyoxal (PGO) reduced Z and altered delta G for Cl- channel activity when added to cis, but not trans solutions. Furthermore, in the presence of cis PGO, reducing the cis Cl- concentration had no effect on Z but altered delta G. Thus we propose that cis PGO and cis Cl- concentrations affect separate sites determining channel activity at the extracellular faces of these Cl- channels.

Animals

Plasma prohormone atrial natriuretic peptides 1-98 and 31-67 increase with supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias.

Recently two peptides consisting of amino acids (AA) 1-30 and 31-67 of the N-terminus of the 126 AA prohormone of atrial natriuretic factor (pro ANF) as well as atrial natriuretic factor (ANF, AA 99-126; C-terminus) were found to have vasodilatory and natriuretic properties. These peptides as well as ANF circulate in man as part of the N-terminus of the prohormone. To determine if the polyuria, associated with both ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, is associated with increased circulating concentrations of the N-terminus and C-terminus of the ANF prohormone, 20 individuals with spontaneous arrhythmias, including ten persons with atrial fibrillation, six with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and four with ventricular tachycardia, were evaluated before and after conversion to sinus rhythm. In all 20 patients, the circulating concentrations of the whole N-terminus (ie, AA 1-98), the midportion of the N-terminus (pro ANF 31-67) that circulates as a distinct 3900 molecular weight peptide after being proteolytically cleaved from the N-terminus, and the C-terminus were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than their concentration in 54 persons with sinus rhythm. With conversion to sinus rhythm, the plasma C-terminus concentration of these 20 arrhythmia patients decreased to the level of persons with sinus rhythm within 30 minutes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged

Increased circulating concentration of the N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone in persons with pheochromocytomas.

To investigate the possible relationship of hypertension and the N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) prohormone which contains two peptides [i.e. pro ANF-(1-30) and pro-ANF-(31-67)] with blood pressure-lowering effects, we examined the circulating levels of the N-terminus of the ANF prohormone in three patients with pheochromocytomas before surgery, during an increase in their blood pressure with surgical manipulation of their tumors, and after surgery when their blood pressures returned to normal. The circulating levels of the whole N-terminus [amino acids 1-98; pro-ANF-(1-98)] and pro-ANF-(31-67) from the midportion of the N-terminus of the ANF prohormone were increased 2-fold in patients with both extraadrenal and intraadrenal pheochromocytomas. In both the intraadrenal and extraadrenal patients N-terminus [pro-ANF-(1-98)] and pro-ANF-(31-67) circulating levels increased further during surgical manipulation and returned to normal after surgical removal of their respective tumors. Each of these pheochromocytomas was found to have pro-ANF-(1-30) and -(31-67)-binding sites that were functional, since they could enhance the guanylate cyclase-cGMP system 2-fold in these pheochromocytomas. The entire 126 amino acids of the prohormone were present within each of the pheochromocytomas, since both the whole N-terminus and C-terminus (i.e. ANF) of the prohormone were present. Examination of the pheochromocytomas by electron microscopy revealed electron-dense granules similar to those in the heart, which have been associated with the synthesis and storage of the ANF prohormone. We conclude that 1) the whole N-terminus [pro-ANF-(1-98)] and pro-ANF-(31-67) of the ANF prohormone circulate at higher concentrations in persons with pheochromocytomas and return to normal with removal of the tumors; 2) pheochromocytomas contain specific binding sites for pro-ANF-(1-30) and -(31-67); 3) these binding sites are functional, since pro-ANF-(1-30) and -(31-67) could enhance the enzyme guanylate cyclase within these tumors; and 4) the entire 126 amino acids of the ANF prohormone are present within these tumors, which have electron-dense granules associated with polypeptide hormone synthesis, suggesting that the ANF prohormone is being synthesized within the pheochromocytomas.

Adolescent

The N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone in the pleural fluid of congestive heart failure patients.

To investigate the possibility that the prohormone of atrial natriuretic factor might be secreted into the pleural fluid of patients with congestive heart failure who are known to have high concentrations of both the N-terminus and C-terminus of this prohormone circulating in their plasma, six patients with class 2 New York Heart Association classified congestive heart failure had the simultaneous measurement of plasma and pleural fluid N-terminal and C-terminal atrial natriuretic factor prohormone concentrations. The 98 amino acid (aa) N-terminus, the midportion of the N-terminus consisting of aa 31-67 of the 126 aa ANF prohormone (ie, pro ANF 31-67), and the C-terminus (aa. 99-126, ANF) were found in high concentrations in the pleural fluid of all of these patients. The concentrations of the N-terminus (ie, pro ANF 1-98), and pro ANF 31-67 in pleural fluid were nearly equal to their concentration in plasma of these patients. Their plasma levels were more than double the plasma concentrations of pro ANFs 1-98 and 31-67 in 54 persons without congestive heart failure. These preliminary findings demonstrate that all 126 amino acids of the ANF prohormone are present in pleural fluid of patients with congestive heart failure since both the 98 aa N-terminus and the C-terminus (aa 99-126) are present. Whether or not the N-terminus, which contains diuretic and natriuretic peptides, secretion into pleural fluid helps clear the fluid present in the lung in congestive heart failure could not be determined from the present investigation.

Atrial Natriuretic Factor

Increased release of the N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone with increasing absolute atmospheres of pressure in a hyperbaric chamber and reversal with oxygen therapy.

Increasing atmospheres of absolute pressure (ATA) on the cardiopulmonary system results in a marked diuresis. The present investigation was designed to determine if the diuresis observed with increasing ATA is associated with increased release of the N-terminus of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) prohormone that contains two potent diuresis-producing hormones consisting of amino acids (aa) 1-30 (pro ANF 1-30; long-acting sodium stimulator) and aa 31-67 (pro ANF 31-67; vessel dilator) of this 126 aa prohormone. Seven healthy volunteers (mean age, 31 years) had the circulating concentration of the N-terminus of the ANF prohormone evaluated at 1, 2, and 3 ATA in a monoplace hyperbaric chamber by two specific and sensitive radioimmunoassays that immunologically recognize (1) the whole 98 aa N-terminus and (2) the midportion of the N-terminus consistent with aa 31-67 (pro ANF 31-67). With increasing ATA from 1 (sea level) to 2 (equivalent to 33 feet of sea water), the circulating concentrations of both the whole N-terminus and pro ANF 31-67 increased threefold. At 3 ATA (66 feet of sea water), their circulating concentrations increased sixfold over their concentrations, at 1 ATA. With the addition of 100 percent O2 while at 3 and 2 ATA, the circulating concentrations of both the whole N-terminus and pro ANF 31-67 immediately decreased to their prehyperbaric ATA levels and remained there with further decompression to 1 ATA and removal of O2 supplementation. The increased circulating concentration of the N-terminus of the ANF prohormone containing two peptides with potent diuretic effects during increasing atmospheres of absolute pressure may help to explain the diuresis that has been observed with increasing ATA.

Adult

Presence of the N-terminal and C-terminal portions of the prohormone of atrial natriuretic factor in the ascitic fluid of cirrhotic patients.

The simultaneous measurement of plasma and ascitic fluid N-terminal and C-terminal portions of the 126 amino acid atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) prohormone (proANF) concentrations in six cirrhotic patients revealed that the C-terminus (amino acids 99 to 126; ANF) and the N-terminus (amino acids 1 to 98) are present in high concentrations (mean = 30 +/- 2 fmol/mL and 701 +/- 43 fmol/mL, respectively) in the ascitic fluid of these patients. In addition to the whole N-terminus, the midportion of the N-terminus (amino acids 31 to 67; proANF 31 to 67) was present in ascitic fluid as a separate identity at a concentration of 711 +/- 63 fmol/mL. The concentrations of the C-terminus, proANF 31 to 67, and N-terminus in ascitic fluid were nearly equal to their concentrations in plasma (32 +/- 4 fmol/mL, 761 +/- 54 fmol/mL, and 772 +/- 54 fmol/mL, respectively). The plasma levels of the N-terminus and C-terminus in the cirrhotic patients were considerably higher than the mean plasma concentrations of these peptides in 54 persons without cirrhosis (531 +/- 25 fmol/mL, 371 +/- 22 fmol/mL, and 22 +/- 1 fmol/mL, respectively [p less than 0.05; analysis of variance (ANO-VA)]. Data demonstrate that the whole N-terminus, midportion of the N-terminus (proANF 31 to 67), and C-terminus of proANF are present in ascitic fluid in high concentrations that are nearly equal to plasma levels. This suggests that their presence in ascitic fluid is due to capillary leakage of peptides in the hepatic sinusoids.

Analysis of Variance

Acute and sustained release of atrial natriuretic factor with acute myocardial infarction.

The present investigation was designed to determine if acute ischemic cardiac injury causes the release of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). Seventeen patients with acute myocardial infarction but without clinical evidence of congestive heart failure had their circulating concentration of ANF and creatine phosphokinase monitored daily for 14 days. All 17 patients had an elevated plasma ANF concentration at time of presentation. Maximal increase in ANF was on day 2 and 3 post-infarction. This maximal increase correlated with the size of infarction estimated by the maximal creatine phosphokinase concentration (r = 0.475; p less than 0.05), but did not correlate with the amount of left ventricular dysfunction. ANF began to decrease by day 4 post-infarction and was normal at 10 days post-infarction in 14 of the 17 (82%) patients. At 12 days post-infarction, all 17 patients had normal ANF levels. Another three patients with acute myocardial infarction were treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). The measured ANF levels in these patients were within our normal range and were significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than those seen in patients with acute myocardial infarction not given thrombolytic therapy. Six patients with unstable angina likewise had normal circulating ANF concentrations during prolonged episodes of chest pain. These levels were also significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than the 17 patients with acute infarcts not given tPA. The distinct pattern of release of ANF may be useful as an adjunct to serum cardiac enzymes in determining if a myocardial infarction has occurred.

Adult

Prohormone atrial natriuretic peptides 1-30, 31-67, and 99-126 increase in proportion to right ventricular pacing rate.

To determine whether heart rate contributes to release of three new peptide hormones synthesized in the heart, right ventricular pacing at rates of 100, 125, 150, and 180 bpm was performed in six dogs with measurement of the plasma concentration of these peptides at each pacing rate while right atrial and systemic blood pressures were simultaneously monitored. These three peptides of the 126-amino-acid prohormone of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), consisting of amino acids 1-30 (pro ANF 1-30), 31-67 (pro ANF 31-67), and 99-126 (ANF), increased incrementally at paced heart rates of 125, 150, and 180 bpm (r = 0.8, p less than 0.001). Right atrial pressure decreased with increasing heart rate but systemic blood pressure did not decrease until the heart rate was 180 bpm, at which time these peptides had obtained their maximal circulating concentrations. After pacing, mean right atrial pressure and levels of ANF returned to prepacing values within 30 minutes. Mean arterial blood pressure, on the other hand, increased throughout the 120-minute period after pacing. At 2 hours after pacing, levels of pro ANFs 1-30 and 31-67 were elevated compared with prepacing values. These data demonstrate that, at heart rates of 125 bpm and above, pro ANF 1-30, pro ANF 31-67, and ANF (99-126) are simultaneously and incrementally released in direct proportion to heart rate. The sustained elevation in pro ANFs 1-30 and 31-67 seen 2 hours after pacing suggests that they may contribute to the prolonged diuresis seen after cardiac pacing or tachycardia.

Animals