title: Natriuretic peptide fragments as possible biochemical markers of hypertension in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the relationship between C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP) and other natriuretic peptides, such as pro-atrial natriuretic peptide [proANP(1-98)] and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), in the elderly, investigating also their correlation with other traditional clinical markers of the hypertensive condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  NT-proCNP, NT-proBNP and proANP(1-98) were measured in 57 elderly patients. They were hypertensive patients (n = 36) and normotensive controls (n = 21). Their anthropometric parameters, including Winsor's index and total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A diagnostic role of NT-proBNP in hypertensive patients was detected by a model of logistic regression, which gave a significant result [odds ratio (OR) 1.0115, P = 0.0184]. By this model the area (AUC) under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.69 ± 0.071 (P = 0.0075). On the basis of the ROC curve, the calculated serum NT-proBNP cut-off for the prediction of hypertension was greater than 164 pmol/l - the value being provided with a sensitivity of 89% coupled with a specificity of 55%. NT-proCNP and proANP(1-98) did not predict the hypertensive condition, although significant correlations were detected with serum lipid profile and creatinine levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By using the logistic regression analysis, NT-proBNP was identified as a significant predictor of hypertension, whereas NT-proCNP and proANP circulating levels were not shown to reliably predict the hypertensive condition. Further validation by means of larger cohort studies is undoubtedly needed to assess the use of all three peptides to increase the performance of a possible test for the prediction of the hypertensive condition in humans.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Medical Diagnostic Sciences and Special Therapies, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cappellin
authors.forename: Rosalba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gatti
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antonelli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Soldà
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ragazzi
authors.forename: Elio Franco
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: De Palo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spinella
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000097:blood; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); C055659:atrial natriuretic factor prohormone (1-98); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D002784:Cholesterol; D003404:Creatinine