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The modulation of cardiovascular function by ANF and Review TRENDS in Endocrinology and Metabolism Vol.16 No.10 December 2005including human ANF [5], brain natriuretic peptidecular, extracts into bioassay rats were found to produce a strong natriuresis and diuresis as well as hypotension accompanied by an increase in hematocrit [3]. This factor, named atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) or, later, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), was first isolated, purified and sequenced from rat atrial extracts [4]. This work was followed by the isolation of related members of a family of natriuretic peptides (NP), pathetic nerve activity by ANF and BNP results in a reduction in NaC reabsorption. The powerful natriuretic and diuretic effects of ANF and BNP are mainly related to an increase in glomerular filtration rate and filtration fraction as well as the inhibition of NaC reabsorption at the level of the collecting duct [13,14]. The increase in glomerular filtration rate and filtration fraction results from dilatation of afferenttigations in which injections of atrial, but not ventri-the heart was first established unequivocally by inves- action is sustained even in acute hemorrhage or prolonged dehydration [12]. Furthermore, blunting of renal sym-The endocrine fun