Salt balance and thyroid function.Salt balance and thyroid function Atrial natriuretic factor atrial natriuretic factor n. A peptide hormone released from cardiac atrial tissue that causes increased elimination of sodium by the kidney. (ANF ANF antinuclear factor; see antinuclear antibodies (ANA), under antibody. ANF abbr. antinuclear factor ANF atrial natriuretic factor. ), a hormone discovered in 1981, controls salt and water balance. High levels of the hormone are found in victims of congestive heart failure congestive heart failure, inability of the heart to expel sufficient blood to keep pace with the metabolic demands of the body. In the healthy individual the heart can tolerate large increases of workload for a considerable length of time. , and preliminary human trials have shown that a booster of the protein can reduce blood pressure in some cases. Now researchers say they've found the first metabolic abnormality associated with decreased levels of the protein. Robert S. Zimmerman and his colleagues at the Mayo Medical School Mayo Medical School is a part of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. It grants degrees in medicine, and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. in Rochester, Minn., measured ANF levels in 11 patients with underactive thyroid glands. The levels were about two-thirds thos of a healthy control group. ANF increased after the patients' thyroid conditions were treated. |
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