The polypeptide relaxin (RLX) has been suggested to play a role in cardiorenal integration and to be related to the natriuretic peptide system. We hence examined the effects of variations in thoracic blood volume and intravenous volume loading on plasma and urinary RLX levels and associated changes in natriuretic peptide levels in healthy men. Two groups of eight subjects were randomly tilted i...

The natriuretic peptides are a family of related hormones that play a crucial role in cardiovascular and renal homeostasis. They have recently emerged as potentially important clinical biomarkers in heart failure. Natriuretic peptides, particularly brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the inactive N-terminal fragment of BNP, NT-proBNP, that has an even greater half-life than BNP, are elevated in...

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are cardiac hormones, secreted by the atria and ventricles, respectively, in the normal adult heart. They participate in the regulation of blood pressure and body fluid homeostasis and modify growth and development of cardiovascular tissues and bone. Levels of ANP are higher in the fetal circulation than in adults, and fetal v...

The natriuretic peptides (NPs) are a family of related hormones that play important roles in the cardiovascular homeostasis, cell growth and neuroendocrine functions. Recently, they have emerged as potentially important clinical biomarkers in heart failure. The heart secretes two major natriuretic peptides: atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), while C-type natri...

Vila et al. (1) reported that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) infusions reduce total and acylated-ghrelin levels while increasing satiety. Since ghrelin acts orexigenic, the authors conclude that BNP might indirectly regulate food intake in conditions associated with excessive BNP levels, such as in heart failure. The hypothesis is provocative but ignores the complex metabolic actions of natriu...

Hospital admissions with heart failure (HF) are increasing worldwide. It is the main reason for hospitalization of elderly patients. Heart failure affects nearly 15% of patients aged >75 years. Prognosis after diagnosis of HF is comparable to that of cancers with 50% survival after 4 years of mild HF and 50% after one year in more severe cases. Current data increasingly suggest that measurement...

The objective of this systematic review was to assess whether pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) are independent predictors of adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery. MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases were searched. Eligible studies included observational or randomized control trials measur...

OBJECTIVE To measure atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in control fetuses and fetuses with Rhesus isoimmunisation before and after intravascular transfusion. The current study was designed to investigate the response of ANP and BNP to cardiac short-term and long-term volume load in the human fetus. METHODS Fetal blood samples were collected from 18 human fet...

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a member of the natriuretic peptide family which is produced in vascular endothelial cells and may play an important paracrine role in the vasaculature. We sought to determine the regulation of CNP production by other vasoactive peptides from cultured aortic endothelial cells. The vasoconstrictors endothelin-1 and angiotensin II had little effect on the basal...

The effects on myocardial function and loading conditions of clinically relevant doses of the natriuretic peptides (NP) have not been established. The actions of single doses (100 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1) iv over 30 min) of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) were studied in conscious normal dogs and in dogs with pacing-induced he...