Antisense oligonucleotide treatment reveals a physiologically relevant role for adrenomedullin gene products in sodium intake

Adrenomedullin (AM). a potent hypotensive peptide. is produced in numerous tissues including adrenal gland, kidney, brain and pituitary gland, where i t acts to modify sodium homeostasis. Central AM administration dose-depende ntly inhibits sodium appetite. AR? antisense oligonucleotide treatment sign ificantly lowered peptide content in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) nucleus and exaggerated the consumption of sodium. These results support a physiologic role for adrenomedullin gene products in the central regulatio n of sodium homeostasis. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.