Antidipsogenic action of a novel peptide, 'brain natriuretic peptide', in rats.

The effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on water drinking was studied in rats. The i.c.v. injection of BNP at a dose of 1.5 nmol elicited no apparent change in spontaneous water intake in rats but significantly attenuated the water intake induced by the i.c.v. administration of 0.1 nmol of angiotensin II. The antidipsogenic action of BNP was comparable to that of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP). These findings suggest that BNP could play a role in the regulation of water intake in the central nervous system, either alone or in concert with brain ANP.