Forebrain binding sites for atrial natriuretic factor: Alterations in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats.

Binding sites for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF-28) were studied in forebrain areas of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) normotensive male rats by quantitative autoradiography. The maximum binding capacity of [(125)I]ANF-28 was significantly reduced in the subfornical organ and choroid plexus of 4 and 14 week old SHR rats compared to age-matched WKY controls. In contrast, the affinity constant for [(125)I]ANF-28 binding was elevated in the choroid plexus of 14 week old SHR rats. These findings indicate that marked reductions in the number of ANF-28 binding sites occur in weanling SHRs as well as in adult SHRs with elevated arterial blood pressures. Thus, these persistant reductions in forebrain ANF-28 binding sites in SHR rats may contribute to the development and maintenance of this form of experimental hypertension.