Atrial Naturetic Hormone

Atrial naturetic hormone or ANP is a member of a family of peptides that have important roles in regulating blood pressure, most prominently through their activity in the kidney to promote excretion of water and sodium. A majority of ANP is synthesized and secreted from cardiac muscle cells, particularly in the atria. Thus, the hormone was named for its source (atrial), major physiologic effect (naturesis or excretion of sodium), and its peptide nature. ANP can be thought of as an anti-hypertensive hormone and plays a central role in the regulation of blood pressure.