Relationship between ANP, cyclic GMP and tissue kallikrein following saline infusion in healthy volunteers.

Infusion of saline in healthy volunteers produced a significant rise in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide, which was accompanied by the urinary excretion of cyclic GMP and sodium. Although the time-course of cyclic GMP excretion almost mirrored that of plasma ANP, that of sodium showed sustained phase, indicating involvement of additional humoral regulators. ANP did not stimulate the excretion of enzymic or immunoreactive tissue kallikrein.