Noradrenaline attenuates the natriuretic effect of atrial natriuretic factor in man.

1. The effects of noradrenaline (0.025 micrograms kg-1 min-1) and atrial natriuretic factor (0.04 micrograms kg-1 min-1) alone, and in combination, were studied in eight healthy salt replete men. 2. Atrial natriuretic factor increased urinary sodium excretion and flow rate without changing glomerular filtration rate or systemic haemodynamics. 3. Noradrenaline decreased urinary sodium excretion without changing glomerular filtration rate, urinary flow rate or systemic haemodynamics. 4. When atrial natriuretic factor was administered against a background infusion of noradrenaline the natriuretic response to the peptide was significantly attenuated. 5. Further analysis showed that this attenuation was due to the additive antinatriuretic effect of noradrenaline rather than to a specific interaction between atrial natriuretic factor and noradrenaline. 6. The possible significance of this interplay between noradrenaline and atrial natriuretic factor is discussed in the context of experimental evidence for an important role of the sympathetic nervous system in modulating the renal effects of atrial natriuretic factor in animals.