New aspects of the interactions between the cardiovascular nitric oxide system and natriuretic peptides.

Arterial blood pressure is regulated by a variety of endocrine, autocrine and neuronal systems. Natriuretic peptides and nitric oxide are important factors that exert synergistic vascular and cardiac actions and their activities are closely linked. The existence of a novel signal transduction mechanism involved in activation of nitric oxide synthase via natriuretic peptides is currently being explored. Since several cardiovascular disorders are associated with dysfunction of natriuretic peptides activity, selective modulation of the natriuretic peptides pathway represents an important therapeutic target. This review article highlights the current findings on cross-talk between natriuretic peptides and the nitric oxide system.