The effect of alteration in renal perfusion pressure on the response of the isolated perfused rat kidney to concentrations of alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) within the pathophysiological range has been examined. At a perfusion pressure of 90 mmHg ANP concentrations of 50, 200, and 1,000 pmol/l were without effect on any parameter tested. At a perfusion pressure of 130 mmHg 50 pmol/l ANP produced an increase of 3.13 +/- 0.68 mumol/min in sodium excretion (UNa V), compared with a fall of 0.33 +/- 1.04 mumol/min in controls (P less than 0.02); fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) rose by 1.45 +/- 0.36% vs. -0.12 +/- 0.47% (P less than 0.05); glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was unchanged. At 200 and 1,000 pmol/l larger changes in UNa V and FENa were seen; only at 1,000 pmol/l was a significant effect on GFR observed. In contrast, frusemide (furosemide) at concentrations of 10 and 100 mumol/l was natriuretic at both 90 and 130 mmHg, with lesser absolute but greater proportional changes being seen at the lower pressure. It was concluded 1) the response of the isolated kidney to ANP is critically dependent on perfusion pressure, 2) at elevated levels of perfusion pressure the isolated kidney can respond to levels of ANP within the upper physiological and pathophysiological range.