Abstract
Natriuretic peptide (NP) such as atrial NP (ANP), brain NP (BNP) or C-type NP (CNP) is a bioactive hormone well known to induce a decrease in blood-pressure, and natriuresis. By contrast, angiotensin II (ANG II), an another bioactive peptide, has the opposite effects such as an increase in blood pressure and a retention of sodium within the body. In other words, NP and ANG II participate in the blood pressure and body fluid regulation through the physiological mechanisms conflicting with each other. Recently, we have found that ANG II and its type 1 receptor are involved in the bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS)-induced fever. Since NP reportedly contributes to the inhibition of the inflammation, it is likely that NP has an opposite (inhibitory) effect on the fever to that of ANG II. We examined this possibility and have gotten interesting results, which we will report in the forthcoming "Meeting of the Physiological Society of Japan". [J Physiol Sci. 2006;56 Suppl:S228]
