Weidmann P, Saxenhofer H, Ferrier C
Medizinische Poliklinik der Universität Bern.
Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1987 Dec 5;117(49):1921-30.
The recent discovery of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) system and its possible physiological role in man are discussed. ANPs are produced in the atria of various species, including man. In normal humans the biologically active alpha-ANP, a peptide consisting of 28 amino acid residues, is released into the circulation through cleavage from a larger prohormone which is stored in specific granules in atrial myocytes. The secretion of alpha-ANP from the heart is activated during atrial distension secondary to volume overload or increased atrial pressures. When injected intravenously, synthetic human alpha-ANP can produce a wide spectrum of hemodynamic, endocrine and renal effects. The ANP system may well play an important role in the homeostasis of (central) blood volume and blood pressure.
本文讨论了心房利钠肽（ANP）系统的最新发现及其在人类体内可能的生理作用。包括人类在内的多种物种的心房都会产生ANP。在正常人体内，具有生物活性的α-ANP是一种由28个氨基酸残基组成的肽，它通过从储存在心房肌细胞特定颗粒中的较大前体激素上裂解下来而释放到循环系统中。继发于容量超负荷或心房压力升高的心房扩张时，心脏会激活α-ANP的分泌。静脉注射合成的人α-ANP时，可产生广泛的血流动力学、内分泌和肾脏效应。ANP系统很可能在（中枢）血容量和血压的稳态中发挥重要作用。
