Abstract-The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of orthostasis on the time course of plasma adrenomedullin concentration. On 5 different days, normotensive subjects were randomized to undergo for 30 minutes either 12°, 30°, 53°, or 70°passive head-up tilt or to remain supine. Venous blood was collected from each subject in the supine position before tilting, at 3 and 27 minutes during tilting, and at 2 and 50 minutes after orthostasis. Plasma adrenomedullin increased significantly with tilt of Ն30°in a stimulus-dependent manner. Approximately half of the increase seen at 27 minutes occurred during the first 2 minutes of upright positioning; the maximum effect with 70°tilt was ϩ70%. Elevations in norepinephrine, epinephrine, aldosterone, plasma renin activity, vasopressin, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure were also significant. Hematocrit, blood density, plasma density, and plasma volume loss rose (PϽ0.05) at 53°a nd 70°tilt. Our results indicate that adrenomedullin may play an important role in stabilization of hemodynamics during passive orthostasis. In conclusion, plasma adrenomedullin rapidly increases with orthostatic challenge in a stimulus-dependent manner and also swiftly returns to baseline levels after the subject resumes the supine position. Key Words: tilt, head-up Ⅲ adrenomedullin Ⅲ barorereflex Ⅲ volume, plasma Ⅲ catecholamines T he 52-amino acid peptide adrenomedullin (ADM) is a potent vasorelaxant 1 and natriuretic 2 peptide. The strong relationship between plasma ADM and vascular tone functions in water homeostasis by increasing the glomerular filtration rate and natriuresis while lessening renal vascular resistance. 2,3 Additionally, ADM might function as an endothelium-derived relaxation factor and an autocrine or paracrine factor for vascular smooth muscle. 4 Until now, no data were available on changes in plasma ADM levels induced by orthostasis, which redistributes blood from central-to lower-body vascular beds and unloads cardiopulmonary receptors 5 ; this causes constriction of resistance and capacitance vessels, 6 in part through the action of vasopressin, angiotensin, and endothelin-1. 7,8 The present investigation was designed to test the hypothesis that plasma ADM is influenced by head-up tilting (HUT) in normotensive, euhydrated humans; to study the time course of ADM during and after HUT; and to quantify effects in relation to the intensity of orthostatic challenge. As ancillary information, hemodynamic and other endocrine as well as blood volume indicators were determined. The present study shows that ADM responds quickly and in a dose-dependent manner to HUT, and its concentration rapidly declines afterward.