Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with Essential Hypertension: Effects on Systemic and Renal Hemodynamics and Renal Excretory Function

Human atrial natriuretic peptide 1–28 (α-hANP) processed and secreted by myoendocrine cells located in the heart atria have been demonstrated to possess strong diuretic, natriuretic and vasodilatory properties [3, 17]. Furthermore, ANP modulates the activity of neural and hormonal systems involved in the regulation of arterial blood pressure (BP) and extracellular fluid volume (ECFV), e.g. of the adrenergic nervous and the renin-angiotensin aldosterone systems [15, 19]. This profile of biological actions suggests that ANP may play a role in at least some forms of essential hypertension in which chronic retention of sodium with subsequent ECFV expansion and an increase in total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) are frequently observed.