Neuroendocrinology of atrial natriuretic polypeptide in the brain

It has been demonstrated that atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP), or atriopeptin, is synthesized and stored not only in the cardiac atrial myocyte but also in the central nervous system, especially in the hypothalamus. ANP may play an important role in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance and blood pressure in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Some of the biological actions of ANP are opposite to those of angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin in the central nervous system. However, the mechanism of action of ANP remains, in a large part, to be defined.