Regulation of atrial natriuretic factor release in man: Effect of water immersion

Abstract

The atrial natriuretic factors (ANF) have recently emerged as a novel hormonal system [3, 10] that may be implicated in extracellular volume homeostasis [9]. Recently, employing our highly sensitive radioimmunoassay [1], we have demonstrated elevated A N F plasma levels in patients with diseases involving pressure/volume overload [2, 6]. The physiologic regulation of ANF release in healthy subjects, however, needs further elucidation [7]. Water immersion causes an increase in central venous pressure due to a shift of extracellular volume to the intrathoracic venous bed [4]. This increase in central venous and atrial pressure has been shown to increase diuresis and natriuresis [5, 8]. In the present study, the hypothesis is tested, that water immersion, via the increase in central venous pressure, stimulates an enhanced release of A N F into the circulation that may contribute to the ensuing diuresis.

Characterization of the ANF system in patients with cirrhosis of the liver

“…Epstein and others have demonstrated in numerous investigations that WI is a useful tool for the study of volume regulation (5): it increases central volume by shifting blood from peripheral vessels thus obviating the necessity of infusing volume expanders that might alter plasma composition. We demonstrated that WI rapidly increases ANF plasma levels in healthy human subjects (10). In the present study WI was used to investigate the response of ANF to acute volume Stimulation in patients with cirrhosis.…”

VO2 Kinetics during Different Forms of Cycling Exercise on Land and in Water

“…13 In W the local vasodilatation and general sympathetic activity seem to be proficiently balanced: from cardiac filling pressure through central blood shift ANP (Atrial Natriuretic Peptide) concentrations are elevated up to 2-3-fold. 32 The well-characterized ANP pathway regulates vascular tone -which is under sympathetic nervous system control -and renal sodium handling. ANP acts as a vasodilator via endothelial cells and promotes baroreflex-mediated activation.…”

Renal and Hormonal Reactions During Water Immersion in Healthy Pregnant Women and Patients with EPH-Gestosis

“…see [4]). Furthermore it could be demonstrated in a previous study, that WI stimulates atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in man [5] and thus seems to be a useful mean to study the physiological role of ANF in acute volume regulation.…”