title: Natriuretic peptides: biochemistry, physiology, and therapeutic role in heart failure.
abstract: Cardiac natriuretic peptides are a family of structurally related peptides that are important in sodium and volume homeostasis. They consist of atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, and C-type natriuretic peptide and are elevated in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. In contrast with vasoconstrictive hormones, such as norepinephrine, angiotensin II, and arginine vasopressin, which worsen the physiological milieu in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, the natriuretic peptides ameliorate these effects by promoting natriuresis, diuresis, peripheral vasodilation, and by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system. The serum levels of the natriuretic peptides correlate with the severity of heart failure and appear to have prognostic value. The present article reviews the biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology of natriuretic peptides and their pathophysiological link to heart failure. The therapeutic uses of natriuretic peptides are also reviewed. This includes the use of intravenous nesiritide, a synthetic human brain natriuretic peptide, and the recently developed vasopeptidase inhibitors which are designed to inhibit the degradation of natriuretic peptides.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stoupakis
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klapholz
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor