The effects of angiotensin II on circulating levels of natriuretic peptides.

We have evaluated the differential release of A, B and C-type natriuretic peptides in response to incremental doses of angiotensin II (2, 4 and 6 ng kg-1 min-1). Baseline plasma concentrations of ANP (5.99 +/- 0.74 pmol 1-1) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than BNP (1.53 +/- 0.48 pmol 1-1) or CNP (0.41 +/- 0.11 pmol 1-1). Angiotensin II infusion caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in plasma ANP to 53.76 +/- 17.3 pmol 1-1 at 6 ng kg-1 min-1. Plasma concentrations of BNP and CNP were not significantly affected by angiotensin II. Arterial blood pressures and systemic vascular resistance increased (P < 0.001) in response to angiotensin II infusion. Thus, ANP, unlike BNP or CNP, is released acutely in response to the pressor stimulus of angiotensin II. This may represent a dissociation in release of the natriuretic peptides, in terms of short and long term responses to activation of the renin-angiotensin system.