Circadian blood pressure rhythm and atrial natriuretic peptide in prednisolone-induced blood pressure elevation

The effect of prednisolone, given as a 4-day oral treatment, on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure rhythm, vasoactive hormones and correlation between blood pressure and vasoactive hormones were studied in 11 healthy men. Blood pressure was monitored at intervals of 15 min during the day and of 30 min during the night. Plasma concentrations of angiotensin II, aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and arginine vasopressin and serum concentration of insulin were measured in the morning during basal conditions. The 24-h systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures were significantly higher after prednisolone treatment. Waking blood pressure was not significantly changed, but sleeping systolic and mean blood pressures were significantly elevated after treatment. The nocturnal systolic blood pressure fall was less pronounced after treatment (before 22%, and after 16%, p