HORMONES RESPONSIBLE FOR FLUID BALANCE

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Angiotensin

The liver creates a hormone Angiotensinogen and is broken down by renin

to form Angiotensin I.

Angiotensin I is an important precursor for angiotensin II, so as it passes in

the bloodstream (lungs and kidneys), it is further metabolized into
angiotensin II which causes;

Constriction of blood vessels hence increase in BP

Increase the sensation of thirst, the desire for salt, encourages release of
hormones that are involved in fluid retention.

Stimulates production of aldosterone

Antidiuretic hormone (Vasopressin)

It is produced by the hypothalamus and transported by nerve cells to

posterior pituitary glands for storage.

Its functions by reducing amount of water passed out in urine hence

conserving fluid volume. By doing this, also blood pressure is raised.

High levels of ADH makes the kidney to retain much water by making the
distal tubes more permeable to water hence much of water is reabsorbed
back in to the blood. It can also cause SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate
Anti-Diuretic Secretion), which is a type of hyponatremia where excess
ADH is released when not needed.

Excessive ADH also causes drug side effects and diseases of lungs, chest
wall, hypothalamus and pituitary glands.

Diabetes Insipidus is a condition that occurs when the body cannot regulate
how it handles fluids. It is caused by production of low levels of ADH by the
pituitary glands.
It has the following symptoms
Being extremely thirsty

Producing large amounts of pale urine

Frequently needing to get up to urinate during the night

Preferring cold drinks.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide(ANP)

It is also called ANF (Atrial Natriuretic Factor). It is a peptide hormone

secreted from cardiac atria (R.A) in response to atrial stretch.

ANP acts acutely to reduce BP by vasodilating the Afferent arteriole and

hence increasing the pressure in the glomerulus and the GFR.

Vasodilation- Widening of blood vessels as a result of the relaxation of

blood vessel's muscular walls. (Vasoconstriction- Narrowing of blood vessels by
small muscles in their walls)

It also works to increase vascular permeability and renal excretion of salt

and water

Natriuresis- Excretion of an excessively large amount of sodium in urine.

Diuresis- A condition in which kidneys filter too much bodily fluid

increasing ones urine production and frequency of passing out urine.

Aldosterone

It is secreted by adrenal glands. It regulates BP by reabsorption of Na+ at the

PCT.

High levels of this hormone cause an increase in BP, abnormal increase in

blood volume and low levels of K+.

Addison's disease is a rare condition caused by low levels of Aldosterone

hormone. It is characterised by general loss of adrenal function resulting in
low blood pressure, lethargy and an increase in K+ levels in the blood.