Effects of adrenomedullin on angiotensin II stimulated atrial natriuretic peptide and arginine vasopressin secretion in healthy humans.
OBJECTIVE
Adrenomedullin is a newly described peptide that has widespread tissue distribution. Its presence in cardiovascular (including vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and cardiac atria and ventricles) and renal tissues, together with its vasodilatory and natriuretic properties, suggest a role in blood pressure regulation and fluid and electrolyte balance.


METHODS
Nine normal volunteers were studied to determine whether or not adrenomedullin influenced plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and arginine vasopressin concentrations during systemic angiotensin II infusion.


RESULTS
A significant (P = 0.02) augmentation of atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations, but no suppression of arginine vasopressin concentrations, was found with coinfusion of adrenomedullin and angiotensin II when compared with vehicle and angiotensin II.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite its vasodilator and natriuretic action, adrenomedullin significantly augmented angiotensin II-stimulated plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations in healthy humans. This provides further evidence of a synergistic interaction between adrenomedullin and atrial natriuretic peptide and suggests that adrenomedullin may have a role in fluid and electrolyte balance and blood pressure regulation.
Petrie
M C
MC
Department of Cardiology, Western Infirmary of Glasgow, Glasgow.
McDonald
J E
JE
Hillier
C
C
Morton
J J
JJ
McMurray
J J
JJ
D053607:Adrenomedullin; D000328:Adult; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000378:metabolism*; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D000804:Angiotensin II; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor