Renal and systemic effects of atrial natriuretic factor.

A survey of the literature reporting the in vivo biological activity of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is presented. Both the atrial extracts, in which ANF was first identified, and the peptides which have more recently been synthesized, have been shown to possess diuretic and saluretic properties. In addition, ANF decreased blood pressure and affected levels of aldosterone, renin, vasopressin and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). The available evidence concerning likely mechanisms of action of ANF are presented and a pivotal role of ANF is suggested for blood pressure and volume regulation.