Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a peptide hormone with natriuretic, vasodilatory and renin inhibitory properties (1, 2, 3). BNP belongs to a family of structurally similar peptide hormones that also includes atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and urodilatin. These peptides are characterized by a 17 amino acid ring structure with a disulfide bond between two cy...

OBJECTIVES The objectives of the current study were to define for the first time the roles of the natriuretic peptide (NP) receptors and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in mediating and modulating the renal actions of Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP), a new therapeutic synthetic NP. BACKGROUND Recent reports have advanced the therapeutic potential of a newly described synthetic NP called DNP...

Estrogen is considered a major regulator of adipose tissue in females. Estrogen increases circulating levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a hormone with renal and cardiovascular effects. The aim of this study was to determine the status of the natriuretic peptide system in female follitropin-receptor knockout (FORKO) mice that could be associated with obesity and hypertension observed i...

BACKGROUND Although natriuretic peptides are considered cardioprotective, clinical heart failure trials with recombinant brain natriuretic peptide (nesiritide) failed to prove it. Unsuspected proadrenergic effects might oppose the anticipated benefits of natriuretic peptides. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigated whether natriuretic peptides induce catecholamine release in isolated hearts, symp...

Arterial distensibility, assessed by the pulse-wave velocity (PWV), is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether natriuretic peptides, acting locally, modify conduit artery distensibility in vivo. All studies were conducted in anesthetized sheep (n = 18) by using a validated ovine hindlimb model. In brief, the PWV was calculated, with the use of the foot-to-foot m...

N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a versatile biomarker, that has been extensively studied in large cohorts of individuals in the general population, in subjects at risk for developing left ventricular dysfunction and cardiovascular events, and in patients with chronic or acutely decompensated heart failure (HF). In this paper, the pros and cons of using natriure...

N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a versatile biomarker, that has been extensively studied in large cohorts of individuals in the general population, in subjects at risk for developing left ventricular dysfunction and cardiovascular events, and in patients with chronic or acutely decompensated heart failure (HF). In this paper, the pros and cons of using natriure...

The balance between vasoconstrictor/sodium-retaining and vasodilator/natriuretic systems is essential for maintaining body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Natriuretic peptides, such as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), belong to the vasodilator/natriuretic system. ANP is produced by the conversion of pro-ANP into ANP, which is achieved by a proteolytical cleavage executed by corin. In the ki...

Because the thymus expresses the natriuretic peptides (NP) as well as their respective receptors, an involvement of NP in the physiology of this organ has been suggested. To evaluate functional aspects of NP in the thymus, we looked for thymic cells bearing NP receptors (Npr). Furthermore, the regulation of Npr expression by activation of cells and the influence of NP on the proliferation of th...

AIMS Cardiac peptides have diagnostic and prognostic value in heart failure. Their plasma concentrations, however, are sensitive to rapid changes in haemodynamics. As blood sampling under standard conditions is not feasible in clinical practice, it is important to know which peptides are most resistant to change. Therefore, the present study investigated the differences in response to exercise ...