Atrial Natriuretic Peptide

Introduction

Atrial natriuretic peptide is a peptide hormone which is synthesised and secreted from muscle cells in the atrial walls in response to stretch. The cause of this stretch is usually an increased ECF which results in increased blood volume and pressure distending the atrial walls. To correct this ANP increases renal filtration and inhibits the reabsorption of sodium and therefore water. This increases the volume of water and sodium lost in the urine and therefore decreases the blood volume and pressure.

Revision

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