Atrial natriuretic factor.

ANF is an exciting, newly discovered hormone that has significant potential for furthering our understanding of the complex interactions involved in fluid and electrolyte balance. In addition to effects on water and salt balance, it is a potent vasodilator, as well as inhibitor of renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, and vasopressin. ANF is primarily produced in the atria, but production in the brain is suggestive of action as a neuropeptide and as a potential regulator of CSF production. Receptors are found throughout the heart, vascular tree, kidney, adrenal gland, and brain. The stimulus for release appears to be atrial stretch, which may be secondary to intravascular fluid changes. It causes hemoconcentration and may be an important regulator of interstitial fluid distribution as well as capillary permeability. Patients with CHF and renal failure have been found to have elevated levels that decrease in response to treatment. Potentially, it may be useful as a therapeutic agent in acute renal failure, CHF and other fluid disturbances. ANF is a testament to the incredible advances in peptide biology. Within 2 years of the discovery, ANF was sequenced and cloned. Since that time, literally thousands of papers describing its actions have been published. Our knowledge about this hormone grows at an exponential rate. It is clear that this hormone is intimately involved in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance, vascular tone, and the pathophysiology of CHF but many questions remain unanswered. Continued research will provide many of the missing pieces to this very complex, new hormone system.