[Atrial natriuretic peptides and the kidney].

The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge about atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)--its structure, secretion and target organ actions. Due to enormous researches, this review is a summary with special emphasis to the physiologic importance of ANP in humans. In the kidney ANP acts on specific receptors inducing hyperfiltration inhibition of sodium transport and suppression of renin release, effects responsible for natriuresis and diuresis. ANP also lowers blood pressure by inhibiting aldosterone biosynthesis and facilitates transudation of plasma water to interstitium. The current knowledge of ANP physiology is based on the study of blood levels and renal effects of ANP in the presence of different manipulations (variations in dietary sodium intake, posture, water immersion, infusion of synthetic ANP). In healty humans ANP levels rise in response to intravenous loading with saline, by acute dietary sodium overload or by immersion of the body into water. Considering these reactions it is possible that ANP helps to protect the heart from volume overload.