Slower onset of vasodilating action of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) compared to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in human forearm resistant vessels.

Purpose: To investigate possible differences in the time course of vasodilating effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in humans.

Methods: We measured forearm blood flow (FBF) by strain gauge plethymography and cyclic GMP spillover during and after intra-arterial infusions of BNP and ANP at 16.2 pmol/min for 30 min in healthy subjects.

Results: The steady-state responses of FBF and cyclic GMP to the infusion were achieved approximately 20 min after commencement of the infusion of BNP, but within 5 min for ANP, with similar magnitudes of maximum responses. These parameters more slowly returned to the baseline value after withdrawal of the BNP infusion than after the ANP infusion.

Conclusion: The onset and disappearance of the guanylate cyclase-stimulating and vasodilating effects of BNP were significantly slower than those of ANP. This differing mode of vasodilator action may be relevant to the therapeutic use of natriuretic peptides.