The heart and the atrial natriuretic factor

Endocr Rev. 1985 Spring;6(2):107-27. doi: 10.1210/edrv-6-2-107.

Abstract

The search for natriuretic hormones or factors by studies of negative pressure breathing, atrial distension experiments, head-out water immersion, expansion of blood volume, Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors and parabiosis experiments in Dahl rats has led to the finding that the atria are a peptide-secreting endocrine gland. This new natriuretic hormone has now been purified, sequenced and synthetized, and its cDNA and gene have been cloned. The native and synthetic hormones exert identical wide ranging effects (possibly through particulate guanylate cyclase stimulation and adenylate cyclase inhibition) on the kidney, blood vessels, adrenal cortex, and pituitary. Physiopathologic implications of the hormone in experimental hypertension, congestive heart failure, and expansion of blood volume are beginning to emerge.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Atrial Function
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor
  • Blood Vessels / drug effects
  • Blood Volume
  • Cattle
  • Chickens
  • Cricetinae
  • Dogs
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Heart / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Immersion / physiopathology
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Muscle Proteins / analysis
  • Muscle Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Muscle Proteins / immunology
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism
  • Muscle Proteins / pharmacology
  • Muscle Proteins / physiology*
  • Natriuresis*
  • Pituitary Gland / drug effects
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / analysis
  • Rectum / drug effects
  • Sodium / metabolism
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Muscle Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Atrial Natriuretic Factor
  • Sodium
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase