Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) a cardiovascular hormone mainly secreted by heart atria in
response to stretching forces induces potent diuretic, natriuretic and vasorelaxant effects
and plays a major role in the homeostasis of blood pressure as well as of water and salt
balance. The hormone can also act as autocrine/paracrine factor and modulate several
immune functions as well as cytoprotective effects. ANP contributes to innate immunity being
able to:(i) stimulate the host defense against extracellular microbes by phagocytosis and …