Effects of atrial natriuretic factor, nitroprusside and acetylcholine on cGMP immunostaining in the isolated perfused rat kidney.

In the present study the localization of the cGMP production in response to the vasodilators acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was studied in the isolated perfused rat kidney using cGMP immunocytochemistry. After ACh (0.3 microM) infusion increased cGMP immunoreactivity was found in kidney interlobar and segmental arteries and in glomeruli. SNP (1 microM) and ANF (0.01 microM) elevated cGMP staining in the same elements of the kidney as ACh. In the glomeruli ACh and SNP stimulated cGMP production in mesangial cells whereas ANF stimulated cGMP production in mesangial cells whereas ANF stimulated cGMP production in epithelial cells (podocytes). However, SNP at higher doses (10 microM) stimulated cGMP production not only in glomeruli, but also in interstitial cells throughout the cortex. In addition SNP and ANF increased cGMP production in the medulla.