The renal and vascular effects of central angiotensin II and atrial natriuretic factor in the anaesthetized rat.

1. The interaction between atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and angiotensin II (Ang II) within the brain to influence renal function and blood pressure was studied in Inactin-anaesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. 2. Central infusion of ANF produced a diuresis which was associated with a significant decrease in plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) level. There was no change in sodium excretion rate over the 80 min of intracerebroventricular ANF infusion and ANF produced no detectable change in mean arterial blood pressure. 3. Central Ang II administration produced a significant decrease in urine flow, which was associated with elevated plasma AVP, an increase in sodium excretion and a rise in mean arterial blood pressure. 4. Combined ANF and Ang II infusion produced an antidiuresis, which was associated with increased plasma AVP concentration. Both the natriuretic and vasopressor actions of central Ang II were abolished when ANF was co-administered. 5. It is concluded that ANF and Ang II interact centrally; ANF antagonizes the pressor and natriuretic effects but not the antidiuretic effects of central Ang II. These data suggest the possibility of distinct and separate sites within the brain through which Ang II influences vasopressin release and renal sodium handling and elevates blood pressure.