Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations Research Articles

The impact of COVID-19 on BNP, NT-proBNP and ANP in heart failure.

Extensive research has been conducted on biomarkers associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in both healthy individuals and those with various conditions, particularly heart diseases. However, there is a limited investigation into the relationship between widely used cardiac biomarkers known as natriuretic peptides, including Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), and Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and COVID-19 infection specifically in patients with heart failure. These natriuretic peptides assess the hemodynamic stress on the heart wall and have the potential to serve as biomarkers for evaluating the severity of COVID-19 infection in heart failure patients. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the plasma concentration of BNP, NT-proBNP, and ANP in a medium-sized cross-sectional case-control study involving 360 heart failure patients, both infected and uninfected with COVID-19. The heart failure patients were categorized into subgroups based on their Ejection Fraction (EF) percentage, namely heart failure with reduced EF (HFrEF), heart failure with mid-range EF (HFmrEF), and heart failure with preserved EF (HFpEF). Our findings demonstrate a significant increase in plasma levels of BNP and NT-proBNP in all heart failure patients, as well as in each subgroup (HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF) when infected with COVID-19, compared to uninfected heart failure patients. These established cardiac biomarkers have the potential to be utilized as future indicators for assessing the severity of COVID-19 infection in heart failure patients, thereby enhancing heart failure management and reducing irreversible cardiac damage.

Sacubitril/valsartan ameliorates renal tubulointerstitial injury through increasing renal plasma flow in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes with aldosterone excess.

Aldosterone has been assumed to be one of aggravating factors in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Natriuretic peptides/guanylyl cyclase-A/cGMP signalling has been shown to ameliorate aldosterone-induced renal injury in mice. Sacubitril/valsartan (SAC/VAL) is used clinically for chronic heart failure and hypertension, in part by augmenting natriuretic peptide bioavailability. The effects of SAC/VAL on renal pathophysiology including in DKD, however, have remained unclarified. Eight-week-old male db/db mice fed on a high-salt diet (HSD) were treated with vehicle or aldosterone (0.2μg/kg/min), and divided into four groups: HSD control, ALDO (aldosterone), ALDO+VAL (valsartan), and ALDO+SAC/VAL group. After 4 weeks, they were analysed for plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels, renal histology, and haemodynamic parameters including glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by FITC-inulin and renal plasma flow (RPF) by para-amino hippuric acid. The ALDO+SAC/VAL group showed significantly increased plasma ANP concentration and creatinine clearance, and decreased tubulointerstitial fibrosis and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin expression compared to ALDO and ALDO+VAL groups. SAC/VAL treatment increased GFR and RPF, and suppressed expression of Tgfb1, Il1b, Ccl2, and Lcn2 genes compared to the ALDO group. The percentage of tubulointerstitial fibrotic areas negatively correlated with the RPF and GFR. In a mouse model of type 2 diabetes with aldosterone excess, SAC/VAL increased RPF and GFR, and ameliorated tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Furthermore, RPF negatively correlated well with tubulointerstitial injury, suggesting that the beneficial effects of SAC/VAL could be through increased renal plasma flow with enhanced natriuretic peptide bioavailability.

Neuroendocrine hormone status and diuretic response to atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with acute heart failure.

Given the various effects of sacubitril/valsartan in heart failure, a deeper understanding of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) actions is warranted. Natriuresis is a fundamental action of ANP in acute heart failure (AHF), whereas the diuretic effect of ANP is different in each patient according to the diversity of renal response to ANP, which is affected by baseline plasma ANP status and deficiency of circulating ANP. Meanwhile, associations between other neuroendocrine hormones and the diuretic response to ANP are unclear. This study investigated the impact of pivotal neuroendocrine hormones on the diuretic effects of exogenous ANP, carperitide. Plasma ANP, renin, aldosterone, and vasopressin levels and the diuretic effect of 0.0125μg/kg/min of carperitide alone for the first 6h were prospectively evaluated in 75 patients with AHF. Lower ANP levels were significantly associated with a greater diuretic response to exogenous ANP (r=-0.35, P=0.002). Additionally, higher vasopressin levels were significantly related to the poor diuretic effects of exogenous ANP (r=-0.54, P<0.001). Plasma ANP and vasopressin concentrations were not significantly correlated (r=0.19, P=0.10). Baseline systolic blood pressure, renal function, and prior use of loop diuretics did not predict the diuretic response to exogenous ANP, whereas vasopressin levels independently predicted a diuretic response to exogenous ANP (P<0.001), as well as lower plasma ANP levels (P=0.027). Vasopressin status was significantly associated with the diuretic response to exogenous ANP in AHF, independent of plasma ANP status. The results may provide a better understanding of the actions of sacubitril/valsartan.

PO-638-04 LOW ATRIAL NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE TO BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE RATIO WAS ASSOCIATED WITH LEFT ATRIAL REMODELING AND HOSPITALIZATION DUE TO HEART FAILURE IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ABLATION

Deficiency of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is thought to contribute to hemodynamic deterioration in case with advanced atrial remodeling due to atrial fibrillation (AF). However, little is known about the association between plasma ANP level and severity of left atrial remodeling or prognosis of heart failure in patients with AF. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between ANP and left atrial remodeling or prognosis of heart failure in patients with AF ablation. Three hundred and seventy-three consecutive patients who underwent initial ablation for persistent AF (age, 67 ± 10 years; and females, 97 [26%]) were retrospectively enrolled. Plasma ANP and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration were measured before the procedure and ANP/BNP ratio was calculated. Left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAEV), left atrial low voltage areas (LVAs), and left atrial volume index (LAVI) were used as clinical factors of left atrial remodeling. Median plasma ANP level was 116 (71-178) pg/ml, and median ANP/BNP ratio was 0.65 (0.46-1.00). Plasma ANP levels did not correlated with LAAEV or LVAs. There was significant correlations between ANP/BNP ratio and LAAEV, LVAs, or LAVI. During the 24 months follow-up, freedom from hospitalization due to heart failure was significantly lower in patients with a ANP/BNP ratio ≤ 0.65 than in those with a ANP/BNP ratio > 0.65 (94.3% versus 99.5%, P<0.01). The secretion of ANP relative to BNP decrease along with progression of left atrial remodeling in patients with AF ablation. Additionally, hospitalization due to heart failure frequently occurred in patients with low secretion of ANP relative to BNP.

Hemodynamic phenotyping of transgenic rats with ubiquitous expression of an angiotensin-(1-7)-producing fusion protein.

Activation of the angiotensin (Ang)-converting enzyme (ACE) 2/Ang-(1-7)/MAS receptor pathway of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) induces protective mechanisms in different diseases. Herein, we describe the cardiovascular phenotype of a new transgenic rat line (TG7371) that expresses an Ang-(1-7)-producing fusion protein. The transgene-specific mRNA and the corresponding protein were shown to be present in all evaluated tissues of TG7371 with the highest expression in aorta and brain. Plasma Ang-(1-7) levels, measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) were similar to control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, however high Ang-(1-7) levels were found in the hypothalamus. TG7371 showed lower baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP), assessed in conscious or anesthetized rats by telemetry or short-term recordings, associated with increased plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and higher urinary sodium concentration. Moreover, evaluation of regional blood flow and hemodynamic parameters with fluorescent microspheres showed a significant increase in blood flow in different tissues (kidneys, mesentery, muscle, spleen, brown fat, heart and skin), with a resulting decrease in total peripheral resistance (TPR). TG7371 rats, on the other hand, also presented increased cardiac and global sympathetic tone, increased plasma vasopressin (AVP) levels and decreased free water clearance. Altogether, our data show that expression of an Ang-(1-7)-producing fusion protein induced a hypotensive phenotype due to widespread vasodilation and consequent fall in peripheral resistance. This phenotype was associated with an increase in ANP together with an increase in AVP and sympathetic drive, which did not fully compensate the lower blood pressure (BP). Here we present the hemodynamic impact of long-term increase in tissue expression of an Ang-(1-7)-fusion protein and provide a new tool to investigate this peptide in different pathophysiological conditions.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Inhibited ABCA1/G1-dependent Cholesterol Efflux Related to Low HDL-C in Hypertensive Pregnant Patients.

Objective: It has been reported that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) regulates lipid metabolism by stimulating adipocyte browning, lipolysis, and lipid oxidation, and by impacting the secretion of adipokines. In our previous study, we found that the plasma ANP concentration of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) was significantly increased in comparison to that of normotensive pregnancy patients. Thus, this study’s objective was to investigate the lipid profile in patients with HDP and determine the effects of ANP on the cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophages.Methods: A total of 265 HDP patients and 178 normotensive women as the control group were recruited. Clinical demographic characteristics and laboratory profile data were collected. Plasma total triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density cholesterol (HDL-C) were compared between the two groups. THP-1 monocytes were incubated with different concentrations of ANP. ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) mRNA and protein were evaluated. ABCA1- and ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux to apolipoprotein A-Ⅰ (apoA-Ⅰ) and HDL, respectively, were measured by green fluorescent labeled NBD cholesterol. Natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPR-A) siRNA and specific agonists of the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and liver X receptor α (LXRα) were studied to investigate the mechanism involved.Results: Plasma TG, TC, LDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C were significantly increased, and HDL-C was significantly decreased in the HDP group in comparison to the control (all p < 0.001). ANP inhibited the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 at both the mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. The functions of ABCA1- and ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux to apoA-I and HDL were significantly decreased. NPR-A siRNA further confirmed that ANP binding to its receptor inhibited ABCA1/G1 expression through the PPAR-γ/LXRα pathway.Conclusions: ABCA1/G1 was inhibited by the stimulation of ANP when combined with NPR-A through the PPAR-γ/LXRα pathway in THP-1 macrophages. The ABCA1/G1-mediated cholesterol efflux was also impaired by the stimulation of ANP. This may provide a new explanation for the decreased level of HDL-C in HDP patients.

Prenatal Particulate Matter (PM) Exposure and Natriuretic Peptides in Newborns from Mexico City.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to assess associations between particulate matter (PM) exposure and natriuretic peptide concentrations in cord blood from newborns. (2) Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study in Mexico City with 101 pregnant women from CIMIGEN Hospital. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) were measured in plasma from cord blood in 51 newborns by ELISA. We estimated PM exposure (PM2.5 and PM10) at first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. (3) Results: The median and interquartile range for ANP, BNP and CNP plasma concentrations were 66.71 (46.92–80.23), 98.23 (73.64–112.30) and 1129.11 (944.10–1452.02) pg/mL, respectively. PM2.5 and PM10 levels for the whole pregnancy period were 22.2 µg/m3 and 41.63 µg/m3, respectively. Employing multivariable linear regression models adjusted for maternal age, newborn sex, smoking before pregnancy, maternal occupation and newborns’ length and height, we observed a 2.47 pg/mL (95%CI: −4.67, −0.27) decrease in BNP associated with PM2.5 exposure during second trimester. Adjusted for the same set of confounders, third trimester PM10 exposure was inversely associated with ANP concentrations (beta estimate: −0.90; 95% CI: −1.80, −0.03). Neither PM10 nor PM2.5 were associated with CNP at any trimester of pregnancy. (4) Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to particulate matter was associated with ANP and BNP decrease in newborns.

Natriuretic peptides and echocardiographic parameters in Mexican children environmentally exposed to arsenic

BackgroundArsenic exposure is associated with cardiovascular risk in adults; however, few epidemiologic studies have evaluated biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in children who are environmentally exposed to arsenic. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the associations between urinary arsenic, plasma natriuretic peptides and echocardiographic parameters in Mexican children exposed to arsenic through the drinking water. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study with 192 children (3–8 years old) from Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), NT-proBNP and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were measured by ELISA, urinary arsenic concentration (UAs) were measured via by hydride generation-cryotrapping-atomic absorption spectrometry, and cardiac parameters were measured by echocardiography. ResultsThe median plasma concentrations of ANP, BNP and NT-proBNP were 36.9 ng/mL, 49.7 pg/mL, and 226.1 pg/mL, respectively. Using multivariable models, a dose-response relationship was observed between BNP concentrations and UAs tertiles (<47 ng/mL: reference, 47–72 ng/mL: 48.7 pg/mL, >72 ng/mL: 52.2 pg/mL, P-trend = 0.020). BNP concentrations also increased with increasing U-tAs as continuous variables (0.43 pg/mL increase per 1 ng/mL increase of U-tAs; P-Value = 0.008). Additionally, BNP was positively associated with arsenic methylated metabolites (U-MAs and U-DMAs). On the other hand, BNP was inversely related to relative wall thickness (RWT). No associations were found for other cardiac parameters. Finally, neither ANP nor NT-proBNP were significantly related to arsenic exposure or echocardiographic parameters. ConclusionsIn this study, we showed associations between plasma BNP and arsenic exposure. Our results support the importance of reducing childhood arsenic exposure, which may have cardiovascular effects early in life.

Small Animal Review

Summary: Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and troponin concentrations interpreted together are useful in assessing the severity of mitral valve disease in the dog and are useful measures to augment echocardiographic findings.

Evaluation of atrial natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I concentrations for assessment of disease severity in dogs with naturally occurring mitral valve disease.

To evaluate and compare the clinical usefulness of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) concentrations for assessment of disease severity in dogs with naturally occurring mitral valve disease (MVD). 316 dogs with MVD and 40 healthy control dogs. Each dog underwent a physical examination and echocardiographic and thoracic radiographic assessments. Blood samples were obtained and processed for measurement of plasma ANP and cTnI concentrations. Dogs with MVD were categorized into 3 groups (stages B1 [no clinical signs or evidence of cardiac enlargement], B2 [no clinical signs with evidence of cardiac enlargement], and C [history of congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema]) on the basis of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine guidelines. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the accuracy of plasma ANP and cTnI concentrations for assessment of MVD severity. Plasma ANP and cTnI concentrations increased as disease severity increased. Median plasma ANP concentrations for all 3 MVD groups and median plasma cTnI concentrations for the stage B2 and C groups were significantly greater than the corresponding concentrations for the control group. Plasma ANP concentration, but not cTnI concentration, appeared to be useful for detection of dogs with subclinical (stages B1 and B2) MVD, whereas both concentrations appeared useful for detection of dogs with stage C MVD. Results indicated that plasma ANP and cTnI concentrations should not be used independently to diagnose MVD but can be used to assess MVD severity and supplement echocardiographic findings.

Abstract P158: Preeminent Role of the Cardiorenal Axis in the Antihypertensive Response to an Arteriovenous Fistula: An In Silico Analysis

Percutaneous creation of a small central arteriovenous (AV) fistula is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension (HT). Although the mechanisms that contribute to the antihypertensive effects of the fistula are unclear, investigators have speculated that chronic blood pressure (BP) lowering may be due to: 1) reduced total peripheral resistance (TPR), 2) increased secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and 3) suppression of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). We used an established integrative mathematical model of human physiology to investigate these possibilities from baseline conditions that mimic sympathetic overactivity and impaired renal function in patients with resistant HT. After simulating a small fistula there were sustained increases in cardiac output, atrial pressures, and plasma ANP concentration (3-fold), without suppression of RSNA; at 8 weeks BP was reduced 14 mmHg along with a 32% fall in TPR. In contrast, when this simulation was repeated while clamping ANP at baseline BP decreased only 4 mmHg, despite a comparable fall in TPR. Further, when chronic resetting of atrial mechanoreceptors was prevented during the fistula RSNA decreased 7% and, along with the same 3-fold increase in ANP, BP fell 19 mmHg. This exaggerated fall in BP occurred with a similar decrease in TPR when compared to the above simulations. These findings suggest that ANP, but not TPR, is a key determinant of long-term BP lowering after an AV fistula and support a contribution of suppressed RSNA if resetting of the atrial-renal reflex is truly incomplete.

Preeminent role of the cardiorenal axis in the antihypertensive response to an arteriovenous fistula: an in silico analysis.

Percutaneous creation of a small central arteriovenous (AV) fistula is currently being evaluated for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension (HT). Although the mechanisms that contribute to the antihypertensive effects of the fistula are unclear, investigators have speculated that chronic blood pressure (BP) lowering may be due to 1) reduced total peripheral resistance (TPR), 2) increased secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and/or 3) suppression of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). We used an established integrative mathematical model of human physiology to investigate these possibilities from baseline conditions that mimic sympathetic overactivity and impaired renal function in patients with resistant HT. After a small fistula was stimulated, there were sustained increases in cardiac output, atrial pressures, and plasma ANP concentration (3-fold), without suppression of RSNA; at 8 wk, BP was reduced 14 mmHg along with a 32% fall in TPR. In contrast, when this simulation was repeated while clamping ANP at baseline BP decreased only 4 mmHg, despite a comparable fall in TPR. Furthermore, when chronic resetting of atrial mechanoreceptors was prevented during the fistula, RSNA decreased 7%, and along with the same threefold increase in ANP, BP fell 19 mmHg. This exaggerated fall in BP occurred with a similar decrease in TPR when compared with the above simulations. These findings suggest that ANP, but not TPR, is a key determinant of long-term BP lowering after the creation of an AV fistula and support a contribution of suppressed RSNA if resetting of the atrial-renal reflex is truly incomplete.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The mechanisms that contribute to the antihypertensive effects of a small arteriovenous (AV) fistula comparable to the size used by the ROX coupler currently in clinical trials are unclear and not readily testable in clinical or experimental studies. The integrative mathematical model of human physiology used in the current study provides a tool for understanding key causal relationships that account for blood pressure (BP) lowering and for testing competing hypotheses. The findings from the simulations suggest that after creation of a small AV fistula increased ANP secretion plays a critical role in mediating long-term reductions in BP. Measurement of natriuretic peptide levels in hypertensive patients implanted with the ROX coupler would provide one critical test of this hypothesis.

How does blood pressure change in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation after successful electrical cardioversion?

How does blood pressure change in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation after successful electrical cardioversion?

Diagnostic accuracy of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations in cats with and without cardiomyopathies

ObjectivesPlasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels have been reported to be elevated in cats with cardiomyopathy. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of plasma ANP concentration as an indicator of the severity of cardiomyopathies. AnimalsThis study included 78 control cats and 83 cats with various types of cardiomyopathy. MethodsThis was a prospective multicentre study. Control cats were determined to have a normal heart, and diseased cats were diagnosed by echocardiography. Diseased cats were divided into asymptomatic cats without left atrial dilation (LAD), asymptomatic cats with LAD, and cats with heart failure. Plasma C-terminal ANP concentrations were measured using chemiluminescence. ResultsThe median plasma ANP concentration in controls was 43.3 (interquartile range, 33.0–56.3) pg/mL. Plasma ANP values were significantly higher in the cardiomyopathic cats with LAD and heart failure, but the values in cats without LAD were comparable to those in control cats. To distinguish cats with cardiomyopathy from controls, a plasma ANP concentration >77.5 pg/mL afforded sensitivity of 66.3% and specificity of 84.6%. Use of plasma ANP concentration >110.9 pg/mL to identify cats with LAD had a sensitivity of 73.6% and specificity of 93.5%. The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve were 0.80 and 0.86. ConclusionsPlasma ANP concentrations were higher in cats with more advanced cardiomyopathy. Although assaying the ANP concentration alone may not help to diagnose cardiac disease, measuring provides additional information that is useful for assessing the severity of cardiomyopathies.

Augmented Renal Clearance in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Single-Center Observational Study of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide, Cardiac Output, and Creatinine Clearance

Augmented renal clearance (ARC) is being increasingly described in neurocritical care practice. The mechanisms driving this phenomenon are largely unknown. The aim of this project was therefore to explore changes in renal function, cardiac output (CO), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations in patients with isolated traumatic brain injury (TBI). This prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a tertiary-level, university-affiliated intensive care unit (ICU). Patients with normal plasma creatinine concentrations (<120 μmol/L) at admission and no history of chronic kidney disease, admitted with isolated TBI, were eligible for enrollment. Continuous CO measures were obtained using arterial pulse waveform analysis. Eight-hour urinary creatinine clearances (CLCR) were used to quantify renal function. ANP concentrations in plasma were measured on alternate days. Data were collected from study enrollment until ICU discharge, death, or day 15, which ever came first. Eleven patients, contributing 100 ICU days of physiological data, were enrolled into the study. Most participants were young men, requiring mechanical ventilation. Median ICU length of stay was 9.6 [7.8-13.0] days. Elevated CLCR measures (>150 mL/min) were frequent and appeared to parallel changes in CO. Plasma ANP concentrations were also significantly elevated over the study period (minimum value = 243 pg/mL). These data suggest that ARC is likely to complicate the care of TBI patients with normal plasma creatinine concentrations, and may be driven by associated cardiovascular changes and/or elevated plasma ANP concentrations. However, significant additional research is required to further understand these findings.

Influence of storage conditions on in vitro stability of atrial natriuretic peptide and of anesthesia on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration in cats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the in vitro stability of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in plasma samples under various storage conditions and the influence of anesthesia on plasma ANP concentration in cats. ANIMALS 1 cat with congestive heart failure and 5 healthy adult mixed-breed cats. PROCEDURES A plasma sample from the cat with heart failure was serially diluted, and dilutional parallelism of ANP concentration was evaluated. Plasma samples containing aprotinin or serum samples from the 5 healthy cats were kept at room temperature (27°C) for ≤ 12 hours. Plasma samples from the same healthy cats were stored at -70°, -20°, or 4°C for ≤ 14 days. Plasma samples were obtained from the healthy cats before and during isoflurane anesthesia. Plasma ANP concentrations were measured at a commercial laboratory by use of a human ANP chemiluminescence assay. RESULTS Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 1.5% and 2.5%, respectively, and dilutional parallelism was established. Although ANP concentration decreased by 82.4 ± 13.6% (mean ± SD) after sample storage for 12 hours at room temperature, this decrease was prevented by aprotinin. Plasma ANP concentrations were stable for 7 days at -20°C and for 14 days at -70°C. However, concentrations decreased markedly to 57.6 ± 6.9% at -20°C and to 18.0 ± 3.0% at 4°C after 14 days. Plasma ANP concentration decreased significantly in cats during anesthesia and was correlated with blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that aprotinin should be added routinely in preparation of plasma samples from cats for measurement of ANP concentration, and those samples, if stored, should be frozen immediately at ≤ -20°C. General anesthesia or systemic blood pressure may affect plasma ANP concentration in cats.

Comparison of Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and N-Terminal ProB-Type Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations between Cardiac and Respiratory Diseases in 65 Dogs

Comparison of Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and N-Terminal ProB-Type Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations between Cardiac and Respiratory Diseases in 65 Dogs

Relaxin and atrial natriuretic peptide pathways participate in the anti-fibrotic effect of a melon concentrate in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BackgroundIn spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a model of human essential hypertension, oxidative stress is involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis associated with hypertension. Dietary supplementation with agents exhibiting antioxidant properties could have a beneficial effect in remodeling of the heart. We previously demonstrated a potent anti-hypertrophic effect of a specific melon (Cucumis melo L.) concentrate with antioxidant properties in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Relaxin and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were reported to reduce collagen deposition and fibrosis progression in various experimental models.ObjectiveThe aim of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that, beside reduction in oxidative stress, the melon concentrate may act through relaxin, its receptor (relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 1, RXFP1), and ANP in SHR.Design and resultsThe melon concentrate, given orally during 4 days, reduced cardiomyocyte size (by 25%) and totally reversed cardiac collagen content (Sirius red staining) in SHR but not in their normotensive controls. Treatment with the melon concentrate lowered cardiac nitrotyrosine-stained area (by 45%) and increased by 17–19% the cardiac expression (Western blot) of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, plasma relaxin concentration was normalized while cardiac relaxin (Western blot) was lowered in treated SHR. Cardiac relaxin receptor level determined by immunohistochemical analysis increased only in treated SHR. Similarly, the melon concentrate reversed the reduction of plasma ANP concentration and lowered its cardiac expression.ConclusionsThe present results demonstrate that reversal of cardiac fibrosis by the melon concentrate involves antioxidant defenses, as well as relaxin and ANP pathways restoration. It is suggested that dietary SOD supplementation could be a useful additional strategy against cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations in dogs with right-sided congestive heart failure

The clinical utility of plasma natriuretic peptide concentrations in dogs with right-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) remains unclear. We investigated whether plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are useful for assessing the congestive signs of right-sided heart failure in dogs. This retrospective study enrolled 16 healthy dogs and 51 untreated dogs with presence (n=28) or absence (n=23) of right-sided CHF. Medical records of physical examinations, thoracic radiography and echocardiography were reviewed. The plasma concentration of canine ANP was measured with a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. Plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were determined using an enzyme immunoassay. Plasma ANP and NT-proBNP concentrations in dogs with right-sided CHF were significantly higher than in healthy controls and those without right-sided CHF. The plasma NT-proBNP concentration >3,003 pmol/l used to identify right-sided CHF had a sensitivity of 88.5% and specificity of 90.3%. An area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.93. The AUC for NT-proBNP was significantly higher than the AUCs for the cardiothoracic ratio, vertebral heart score, ratio of right ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter to body surface area, tricuspid late diastolic flow and ratio of the velocities of tricuspid early to late diastolic flow. These results suggest that plasma ANP and NT-proBNP concentrations increase markedly in dogs with right-sided CHF. Particularly, NT-proBNP is simple and helpful biomarkers to assess the right-sided CHF.

Plasma concentrations of adrenomedullin and atrial and brain natriuretic peptides in patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma.

The present study aimed to evaluate any changes in the plasma concentrations of adrenomedullin (ADM), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC). The plasma concentrations of the three peptides were measured in 45 healthy control individuals and 90 untreated patients with PC, who consisted of 20 normotensive patients, 30 borderline hypertensive patients and 40 hypertensive patients. After 4 weeks of effective antihypertensive therapy for hypertensive PC patients, the concentrations of ADM, ANP and BNP were measured again, and laparoscopic adrenalectomy was then performed for all PC patients with values that were measured 2 weeks later. The plasma concentrations of the three peptides were significantly increased in the borderline hypertensive and hypertensive patients compared with the concentrations in control individuals and normotensive patients. In addition, there were significant differences between the levels of ADM, ANP and BNP in the borderline and hypertensive groups. The plasma ADM concentration was not associated with the blood urea nitrogen levels, serum creatinine levels or glomerular filtration rate, but was correlated with the serum epinephrine, serum norepinephrine and urine vanillylmandelic acid levels. In addition, the ADM concentration was associated with the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass index and plasma concentrations of ANP and BNP in the hypertensive patients with PC. After 4 weeks of antihypertensive treatment, the values of the three peptides in the hypertensive patients with PC were not significantly changed. As expected, the values in borderline and hypertensive groups were significantly decreased 2 weeks subsequent to surgery, whereas there were no significant changes in the normotensive group. ADM may participate, along with ANP and BNP, in the mechanisms that counteract further elevation of blood pressure in patients with PC, and there may be an ADM/catecholamine local regulatory mechanism that is important for the control of adrenal medulla functions.