ANP inhibits basal renin release in a dose-dependent manner and inhibits isoproterenol-induced renin release (IC50 = 58 nM); decreases plasma renin activity and cAMP levels in anesthetized rats and increases cGMP levels (8 μg/kg); inhibits arginine vasopressin-induced increases in mean arterial blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive and control rats (150 ng, i.c.v.)