Atrial natriuretic factor-a circulating hormone stimulated by volume loading

The cardiocytes of mammalian cardiac atria contain granules very similar to those in endocrine cells. The number of these atrial granules is related directly to salt loading and blood volume. Furthermore, crude extracts of rat atria and granule preparations have powerful natriuretic and diuretic eff...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1985-03, Vol.314 (6008), p.264-266
Main Authors: Lang, R. E, Thölken, H, Ganten, D, Luft, F. C, Ruskoaho, H, Unger, Th
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Atrial Function
Atrial Natriuretic Factor
Biological and medical sciences
Blood Volume - drug effects
Cytoplasmic Granules - physiology
Diuresis
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Heart
Heart Atria - analysis
Muscle Proteins - blood
Muscle Proteins - physiology
Natriuresis
Radioimmunoassay
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Sodium Chloride - administration & dosage
Sodium Chloride - pharmacology
Vertebrates: cardiovascular system
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Summary:The cardiocytes of mammalian cardiac atria contain granules very similar to those in endocrine cells. The number of these atrial granules is related directly to salt loading and blood volume. Furthermore, crude extracts of rat atria and granule preparations have powerful natriuretic and diuretic effects. These effects are mediated by peptides identified previously as atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). The peptides are derived from a common precursor, whose structure has been elucidated recently. Although there is indirect evidence from morphological studies that at least some of these peptides may be released into the blood and function as hormones, their presence in the blood has not yet been demonstrated. Here we describe a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for ANF and its stimulation on volume loading.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/314264a0