Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide in hepatic cirrhosis.
OBJECTIVE
Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP) is a novel peptide that is structurally similar to atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides. Many natriuretic peptides are increased in hepatic cirrhosis, but the role of DNP in cirrhosis is unknown at present. The aim of the study was to investigate plasma levels of dendroaspis natriuretic-like immunoreactivity in cirrhosis.


METHODS
We measured plasma concentrations of DNP by radioimmunoassay methods in 12 cirrhotic patients without ascites and 44 cirrhotic patients with ascites, and compared these values with 20 age-matched healthy subjects. Renal function, plasma cGMP concentration, plasma renin activity, and plasma endothelin concentration were measured in each patient.


RESULTS
Patients without ascites had circulating levels of DNP similar to those of healthy subjects. By contrast, patients with ascites had increased circulating DNP levels compared to both patients without ascites and healthy subjects. In addition, circulating levels of DNP increased in relation to the severity of cirrhosis. Significant positive correlations were also found between DNP levels, endothelin concentrations, and plasma renin activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that plasma DNP is increased in cirrhotic patients with ascites.
Fábrega
E
E
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital Marquis de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain.
Crespo
J
J
Rivero
M
M
Casafont
F
F
Castro
B
B
García-Unzueta
M T
MT
Amado
J A
JA
Pons-Romero
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
C075597:Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide; D004546:Elapid Venoms; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010455:Peptides