The carotid body and natriuresis: effect of almitrine bismesylate.

Almitrine bismesylate is a peripheral chemoreceptor agonist. When given intravenously to anaesthetized rats it results in a reversible diuresis and natriuresis. The effect is abolished by denervation of the carotid bodies and is still present following vagotomy, when the animal is paralysed and artificially ventilated or following bilateral adrenalectomy. Denervation of the carotid bodies results in a lower resting sodium excretion. In chronically hypoxic rats which have enlarged carotid bodies the natriuretic response to almitrine is grossly diminished.