The role of atrial natriuretic peptide in the development of arterial hypertension in patients with hypothalamic puberty syndrome

Abstract

Fifty-two youths with the hypothalamic syndrome of puberty and 13 normal subjects aged 13 to 24 were examined in order to elucidate the contribution of the depressor system factor atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to the development of arterial hypertension in such patients. The disease standing was 2 to 11 years. Plasma ANP, plasma renin activity, and serum aldosterone were radioimmunoassayed. The level of ANP was reliably decreased in patients with borderline arterial hypertension and directly correlated with changes of the renin-aldosterone system. This permitted a conclusion on the insufficient role of the depressor system in patients with the pubertal hypothalamic syndrome and contribution of ANP to the development of arterial hypertension and of disorders in the functional relationships between the renin-aldosterone system and ANP.