For the first time, two vital physiological systems--the Na+-K+-ATPase inhibitor and the atrial hormones--are explored in one essential volume. Chapters exploring the atrial natriuretic factor describe the remarkable progress since de Bold's classic 1981 experiment, from advances in characterizing gene structure to measurement of blood levels in human disease. The book chronicles the important actions of this new hormonal system (aside from its effect on the kidney) in dilating blood vessels, inhibiting aldosterone and renin secretion, and increasing vascular permeability. The last three chapters describe the latest findings in the area of the Na+-K+-ATPase inhibitor, including factors of volume control and hypertension, arterial hypertension, and sodium-transport inhibitors as physiological regulators of the sodium pump.

Inhalt

Historical Perspectives of Atrial Specific Granules.- Structure and Expression of the Atrial Natriuretic Factor Gene.- Mechanisms Controlling Release of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide.- Atriopeptin Expression in the Ventricle.- Tissue Distribution of Atrial Natriuretic Factor and Determination of Its Concentration.- Physiological Actions of Atrial Natriuretic Factor.- Structure-Activity Relationships of Atrial Natriuretic Peptides.- Renal Actions of Atrial Natriuretic Peptides.- Effect of Atrial Peptides on the Adrenal Cortex.- Atrial Natriuretic Factor in Animal Models for Hypertension.- Effect of Human Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Normal and Hypertensive Humans.- Natriuretic and Sodium-Transport Inhibitory Factors Associated With Volume Control and Hypertension.- Endogenous Sodium-Transport Inhibitors as Physiological Regulators of the Sodium Pump.- Natriuretic Factors in Arterial Hypertension.