Effects of atrial natriuretic peptide and angiotensin III on the uptake and intracellular distribution of norepinephrine in medulla oblongata of the rat.

1. Ten micromoles angiotensin III decreased total 3H-norepinephrine uptake in medulla oblongata of the rat and 100 nM atrial natriuretic peptide increased it. These were the threshold concentrations for the peptides to modify the uptake of the amine. 2. A threshold concentrations (1 nM) of atrial natriuretic peptide reversed the effects produced by 10 microM angiotensin III on total 3H-norepinephrine uptake, but subthreshold angiotensin III concentrations failed to alter the effects produced by 100 nM atrial natriuretic peptide. 3. Angiotensin III, as well as atrial natriuretic peptide, modified only neuronal norepinephrine uptake and did not alter non-neuronal norepinephrine uptake. 4. Angiotensin III and atrial natriuretic peptide did not modify the intracellular distribution of norepinephrine in medulla oblongata.