Angiotensin inhibition potentiates the renal responses to neutral endopeptidase inhibition in dogs with congestive heart failure

The renal natriuretic actions of endogenous atrial natriuretic factor are enhanced by neutral endopeptidase inhibition (NEP-I). Recognizing that activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in congestive heart failure (CHF) antagonizes the renal actions of atrial natriuretic factor, we hypothesized that angiotensin II antagonism with converting enzyme inhibition would potentiate the renal actions of NEP-I in CHF. To test this hypothesis, the renal responses to a specific NEP-I (SQ 28,603) were assessed in dogs with eight days of experimental CHF produced by rapid ventricular pacing. The renal natriuretic responses to NEP-I in experimental CHF were significant. In the same model of CHF, chronic angiotensin antagonism with converting enzyme inhibition potentiated both renal hemodynamic and excretory responses to NEP-I. The potentiated renal hemodynamic response included significant increases in glomerular filtration rate and filtration fraction. In the CHF group with angiotensin antagonism, an intrarenal infusion of low-dose angiotensin abolished the potentiated renal responses to NEP-I, supporting the concept that intrarenal angiotensin antagonism, rather than improved systemic hemodynamics or potentiation of other peptide systems, mediated the enhanced renal responses to NEP-I in the presence of converting enzyme inhibition.