The effect of intravenous saline loading on plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide in man

OBJECTIVE:Recent evidence suggests the presence of a dual natriuretic peptide system consisting of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) from the atrium and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) from the ventricle. Discrete roles have been postulated for these two natriuretic peptides in the control of circulatory homeostasis. We have therefore compared the release of ANF and BNP in response to an acute saline load to explore a differential pattern of release for the two natriuretic peptides in man. DESIGN:The effects of an acute saline infusion on plasma ANF and BNP concentrations were studied in 10 normal male volunteers. METHODS:Subjects were studied on two study days in the semirecumbent position. An acute intravenous saline infusion (250ml/min) of 18 ml/kg isotonic sodium chloride-potassium chloride solution was administered on one of the two study days. No infusion was administered on the other day as a control. RESULTS:Plasma ANF concentrations increased significantly (P