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Atrial natriuretic factor—a circulating hormone stimulated by volume loading

Nature volume 314, pages 264–266 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

The cardiocytes of mammalian cardiac atria contain granules very similar to those in endocrine cells1,2. The number of these atrial granules is related directly to salt loading and blood volume3. Furthermore, crude extracts of rat atria and granule preparations have powerful natriuretic and diuretic effects4,5. 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 recently6–15. 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 radio-immunoassay for ANF and its stimulation on volume loading.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Institute for High Blood Pressure Research and Department of Pharmacology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, D-6900, Heidelberg, FRG

    R. E. Lang, H. Thölken, D. Ganten, F. C. Luft, H. Ruskoaho & Th. Unger

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  1. R. E. Lang
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  2. H. Thölken
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  3. D. Ganten
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  4. F. C. Luft
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  5. H. Ruskoaho
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  6. Th. Unger
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Lang, R., Thölken, H., Ganten, D. et al. Atrial natriuretic factor—a circulating hormone stimulated by volume loading. Nature 314, 264–266 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/314264a0

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