Endogenous digoxin-like factor raises blood pressure and protects against digitalis toxicity.
Digoxin-like immunoreactive factor (DLIF) is an endogenous natriuretic material which causes diuresis and natriuresis after salt or fluid loading and which may play a pathogenetic role in various hypertensive states. In order to study the cardiovascular effects of DLIF, we administered partially purified material (500 ng/kg) iv to normal rats. DLIF administration caused a significant rise in blood pressure, induced a brisk diuresis, and slowed the heart rate. In addition, DLIF protected against digitalis toxicity. While iv digoxin, 1 mg/kg, uniformly produced lethal arrhythmias, administration of DLIF 15 min prior to digoxin infusion consistently protected against arrhythmias. These findings support the theory that DLIF may play a role in hypertension. In addition, DLIF may compete with digoxin for cardiac receptors.
Shilo
L
L
Department of Medicine C, Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba, Israel.
Pomeranz
A
A
Rathaus
M
M
Bernheim
J
J
Shenkman
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000652:urine; D002298:Cardenolides; D004077:Digoxin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D004231:Diuresis / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012503:Saponins
D001798:Blood Proteins; D002298:Cardenolides; D012503:Saponins; C034504:digoxin-like factors; D004077:Digoxin