De Almeida, Júlio C.Alves, Clodoaldo L.Abreu, Luiz Carlos de [UNESP]Sato, Monica A.Fonseca, Fernando L.De Mello Monteiro, Carlos B.Vanderlei, Luiz Carlos M. [UNESP]MacEdo, HugoTavares, Carlos M.Herrero, DafneRodrigues, Luciano M.R.Valenti, Vitor Engrácia [UNESP]2014-05-272014-05-272012-02-08International Archives of Medicine, v. 5, n. 1, 2012.1755-7682http://hdl.handle.net/11449/73185In this minireview we describe the involvement of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in cardiovascular pathophysiology and exercise. The ANP has a broad homeostatic role and exerts complex effects on the cardio-circulatory hemodynamics, it is produced by the left atrium and has a key role in regulating sodium and water balance in mammals and humans. The dominant stimulus for its release is atrial wall tension, commonly caused by exercise. The ANP is involved in the process of lipolysis through a cGMP signaling pathway and, as a consequence, reducing blood pressure by decreasing the sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle to the action of vasoconstrictors and regulate fluid balance. The increase of this hormone is associated with better survival in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This minireview provides new evidence based on recent studies related to the beneficial effects of exercise in patients with cardiovascular disease, focusing on the ANP. © 2012 de Almeida et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.engadenylate cyclasealdosteroneangiotensin IIatrial natriuretic factorbeta adrenergic receptor blocking agentcatecholaminecyclic GMPendothelininsulinperilipinreninvasopressinblood pressureblood vessel tonecardiovascular systemcoronary artery diseasedehydrationdisease courseenzyme activityexercisefluid balanceglomerulus filtrationheart failureheart functionheart hemodynamicsheart left atriumhormone determinationhumankidney functionkidney tubule absorptionlipolysisnitrogen balancepathophysiologyphosphorylationprognosisreviewsignal transductionsurvivalurinary excretionvascular resistancevascular smooth musclevasoconstrictionvenous oxygen tensionResenha10.1186/1755-7682-5-4Acesso aberto2-s2.0-848565631192-s2.0-84856563119.pdf