Table 1
Physiological actions of NP
Abbreviations: AVP, vasopressin; VSMC, vascular smooth muscle cells.
| Target organ | Biological effects |
|---|---|
| Kidney |  Increased GFR by inducing vasodilatation of afferent arterioles and vasoconstriction of efferent arterioles |
| Induction of natriuresis by inhibiting Na+, H+ exchanger in the proximal tubule, Na+, Cl− co-transporter in the distal tubule and Na+ channels in the collecting duct | |
| Induction of diuresis due to inhibition of AVP-induced acquaporin-2 incorporation into collecting ducts' apical membrane | |
| Cardiac | Reduction in preload leading to fall in cardiac output |
| Inhibition of cardiac remodelling | |
| Haemodynamic | Vasorelaxation |
| Elevating capillary hydraulic conductivity | |
| Decreased cardiac preload and afterload | |
| Endocrine | Suppression of the following: |
| - Renin–Ang–aldosterone axis | |
| - Sympathetic outflow | |
| - AVP | |
| - Endothelin | |
| Mitogenesis | Inhibition of mitogenesis in VSMC |
| Inhibition of growth factor-mediated hypertrophy in fibroblasts |
| Target organ | Biological effects |
|---|---|
| Kidney | Increased GFR by inducing vasodilatation of afferent arterioles and vasoconstriction of efferent arterioles |
| Induction of natriuresis by inhibiting Na+, H+ exchanger in the proximal tubule, Na+, Cl− co-transporter in the distal tubule and Na+ channels in the collecting duct | |
| Induction of diuresis due to inhibition of AVP-induced acquaporin-2 incorporation into collecting ducts' apical membrane | |
| Cardiac | Reduction in preload leading to fall in cardiac output |
| Inhibition of cardiac remodelling | |
| Haemodynamic | Vasorelaxation |
| Elevating capillary hydraulic conductivity | |
| Decreased cardiac preload and afterload | |
| Endocrine | Suppression of the following: |
| - Renin–Ang–aldosterone axis | |
| - Sympathetic outflow | |
| - AVP | |
| - Endothelin | |
| Mitogenesis | Inhibition of mitogenesis in VSMC |
| Inhibition of growth factor-mediated hypertrophy in fibroblasts |