The existence of a circadian rhythm of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in humans is controversial. We studied the plasma ANP response to isotonic blood volume expansion in the morning and in the afternoon and its relationship with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-cortisol diurnal variation in seven normal subjects. Basal plasma ANP level was similar in the morning (19.6 +/- 2.4 pg/ml) and in...

Acute and chronic experiments were performed in rats to examine whether atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has any beneficial effects on glycerol-induced acute renal failure (ARF). ANP infusion (Atriopeptin III, 1.0 microgram/kg+0.2 microgram/kg/min) improved the renal blood flow (RBF) and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and induced profound natriuresis in the early stage of ARF. By contras...

The atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a member of the natriuretic peptide family, is a cardiovascular hormone which possesses well defined natriuretic, diuretic and vasodilating properties. Most of the biological effects of ANP are mediated through its guanylyl cyclase coupled receptor. ANP and its receptors have been shown to be expressed and differentially regulated in the immune system, and ...

BACKGROUND High levels of endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are thought to compensate the condition of patients with heart failure by reducing preload and afterload. However, recent reports have indicated that a high plasma ANP level is a prognostic predictor in patients with heart failure. Therefore, the role of endogenous ANP has not been clearly established in patients with heart f...

PURPOSE Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a known vascular antipermeability and antiangiogenic factor, but its possible alteration during the early stages of diabetic retinopathy has not yet been explored. The present study sought to investigate the expression of ANP and its receptors using a model of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in the rat. METHODS Diabetes was induced in male Wis...