Clearance receptors and endopeptidase 24.11: equal role in natriuretic peptide metabolism in conscious sheep. Charles, Christopher J., Eric A. Espiner, M. Gary Nicholls, A. Mark Richards, Timothy G. Yandle, Andy Protter, Teddy Kosoglou. Department of Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND, Scios Nova, Palo Alto, CA, USA, and Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ, USA
APStracts 3:0065R, 1996.
While many studies have examined the effects of administering natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C) ligands and endopeptidase 24.11 (EP 24.11) inhibitors on clearance and bioactivity of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) none have systematically compared their effects on the endogenous levels of both ANP and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) under physiological conditions. Accordingly, we examined the hemodynamic, hormonal and renal actions of an EP 24.11 inhibitor, SCH 32615 and an NPR-C ligand, C-ANP4-23 both alone and in combination, in eight normal conscious sheep. NPR-C blockade and EP 24.11 inhibition induce similar rises in plasma ANP, BNP and cyclic GMP. Synergistic increments in plasma ANP, BNP and cyclic GMP observed during combined administration are likely to be due to the reduced clearance of C-ANP4-23 in the setting of EP 24.11 inhibition leading to increased inhibition of the receptor pathway. Combined administration was also associated with enhanced hemodynamic actions and diuretic and natriuretic effects. Our findings show that both enzymatic and receptor clearance pathways contribute equally to natriuretic peptide clearance and induce potentially important hemodynamic and renal effects in normal conscious sheep.

Received 22 September 1995; accepted in final form 15 February
1996.
APS Manuscript Number R594-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Regulatory Integrative
Comp. Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 13 March 96