Atrial natriuretic factor in various stages of diabetic nephropathy.

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) were measured by radioreceptor assay in 148 insulin-dependent Type I diabetic patients with different stages of diabetic nephropathy. In patients with overt or incipient diabetic nephropathy as well as in patients with glomerular hyperfiltration only, ANF concentrations were elevated when compared with non-nephropathic diabetic and normal subjects. No correlations between ANF and blood pressure, age, diabetes duration, or parameters of metabolic control were found. These findings may indicate a pathophysiologic role of ANF in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy.