Different behaviour of the N-terminal and C-terminal fragment of proatrial natriuretic factor in plasma of healthy subjects as well as of patients with cirrhosis

N-terminal (atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) 1-98) and C-terminal
(ANF 99-126) fragments of proatrial natriuretic factor (NTA and
CTA, respectively) were determined in plasma of healthy subjects
adopting different postures and in patients with cirrhosis. Seven
healthy subjects were investigated while seated and 30 min after
assuming a horizontal position. NTA plasma concentrations increased
in subjects in the horizontal position (from 734±250 (SE) fmol/ml
to 9021227 fmol/ml; p