Brain natriuretic peptide: natriuretic and endocrine effects in essential hypertension.

Objective: Documentation of the renal, hormonal and haemodynamic effects and plasma clearance of human brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) given (in a dose inducing increases in plasma BNP concentrations to pathophysiological levels) to patients with essential hypertension. Design: Six male patients with untreated, uncomplicated, mild-to-moderate essential hypertension underwent placebo-controlled single-blind studies in balanced random order. Human BNP (2 pmol/kg per min) and vehicle were given as constant intravenous infusions in a volume of 15 ml/h for 2 h