Brain natriuretic peptide
In medicine, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a "peptide that is secreted by the brain and the heart atria, stored mainly in cardiac ventricular myocardium. It can cause natriuresis; diuresis; vasodilation; and inhibits secretion of renin and aldosterone. It improves heart function. It contains 32 amino acids."[1]
BNP is one member or a family of closely related peptides called "natriuretic peptides" because of their ability to stimulate sodium excretion (natriuresis). Natriuretic peptides are functional antagonists to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. BNP was given its name because it was first discovered in the porcine brain. [2] However, confusingly, there appears to be relatively little BNP expressed in the brain compared to atrial natriuretic peptide [3]
An elevated concentration of BNP in the circulation can detect heart failure:[4]
| Sensitivity | Specificity | |
|---|---|---|
| BNP > 100 pg per milliliter | 90% | 76% |
| BNP > 50 pg per milliliter | 97% | 62% |
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Brain natriuretic peptide (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ Baxter GF (2004) The natriuretic peptides. Basic Res Cardiol 99:71-5. PMID 14963664
- ↑ Langub MC et al. (1995) Distribution of natriuretic peptide precursor mRNAs in the rat brain. J Comp Neurol 356:183-99. PMID 7629314
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Maisel AS, Krishnaswamy P, Nowak RM, et al (July 2002). "Rapid measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide in the emergency diagnosis of heart failure". N Engl J Med 347: 161–7. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa020233. PMID 12124404. Research Blogging.