[Plasma variation of atrial natriuretic peptide in central hypervolemia (diurnal or nocturnal) induced by antiorthostatic decubitus at -6 degrees].

Plasma levels of ANP were measured during a 4 hrs head-down tilt at -6 degrees in 5 healthy male volunteers (aged 20-22 M.2). The experiments took place from 8 to 14 hrs, (day), and from 22 to 7 hrs (night). The control period was 1 hr. in a seated position (8 to 9 hrs. for day and 22 to 23 hrs. for night). Blood samples were collected at 9 and 23 hrs. and every 20 min. during the first hours, and every hours thereafter. Electroencephalograms were continuously recorded during night. Our results showed a similar increase in ANP during both experimental conditions. During night there was no correlations between ANP and sleep stages. Finally the differences observed in renal responsiveness to central volume expansion during day or night could not be explained by a difference in renin, aldosterone, vasopressin (previously demonstrated in several studies) or ANP secretion.