THE EFFECTS OF ANGIOTENSIN-II ON CIRCULATING LEVELS OF NATRIURETIC PEPTIDES

We have evaluated the differential release of A, B and C-type natriuretic peptides in response to incremental doses of angiotensin II (2, 4 and 6 ng kg(-1) min(-1)). Baseline plasma concentrations of ANP (5.99 +/- 0.74 pmol l(-1)) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than BNP (1.53 +/- 0.48 pmol l(-1)) or CNP (0.41 +/- 0.11 pmol l(-1)). Angiotensin II infusion caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in plasma ANP to 53.76 +/- 17.3 pmol l(-1) at 6 ng kg(-1) min(-1). Plasma concentrations of BNP and CNP were not significantly affected by angiotensin II. Arterial blood pressures and systemic vascular resistance increased (P < 0.001) in response to angiotensin II infusion. Thus, ANP, unlike BNP or CNP, is released acutely in response to the presser stimulus of angiotensin II. This may represent a dissociation in release of the natriuretic peptides, in terms of short and long term responses to activation of the renin-angiotensin system.