Localization of atrial natriuretic peptide and impact of acute stressors on its expression in rat heart

Abstract

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) which is produced by mammalian cardiomyocytes is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid homeostasis. The peptide induces suppression of the renin-angiotensin as well as the sympathetic nervous systems to protect cardiovascular homeostasis, which is also deteriorated by the stress.

The present study was designed to detect ANP and to examine expression of ANP mRNA in all heart compartments.