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Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) is released from atrial myocytes in response to increased blood volume and atrial pressure.
Mechanism of Action
ANP acts via the cGMP pathway to achieve the following effects:
Effects | Mechanism |
---|---|
Vasodilation | Promotes relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, leading to widened blood vessels. |
Inhibition of Na+ Reabsorption | Reduces sodium reabsorption at the renal collecting tubule, enhancing sodium excretion. |
Renal Effects | Dilates afferent renal arterioles and constricts efferent arterioles, facilitating increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and contributing to the “aldosterone escape” mechanism. |
Clinical Significance
ANP’s actions contribute to diuresis and help regulate blood pressure by reducing blood volume.
This structured format should help medical students grasp the key points efficiently for the USMLE Step 1 exam preparation.