title: NT-proBNP, C-reactive protein and soluble uPAR in a bi-ethnic male population: the SAfrEIC study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate associations between a marker of cardiac strain, the N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and inflammation as reflected by either a conventional or novel inflammatory marker in a bi-ethnic South African cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured NT-proBNP, C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma-soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels along with conventional biomarkers in black (n = 117) and white (n = 116) men.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NT-proBNP, CRP and suPAR levels were higher in black compared to white men. NT-proBNP was significantly associated with both CRP (r = 0.38; p = 0.001) and suPAR (r = 0.42; p<0.001) in black men only. After full adjustment in multiple regression analyses, the above associations of NT-proBNP with CRP (β = 0.199; p = 0.018) and suPAR (β = 0.257; p<0.01) were confirmed in black men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that a low-grade inflammatory state as reflected by both a conventional and novel marker of inflammation may contribute to higher cardiovascular risk as reflected by the associations obtained with a marker of cardiac strain in black South African men.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), Department of Physiology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, North-West Province, South Africa. ruan.kruger@nwu.ac.za
authors.forename: Ruan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: Rudolph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schutte
authors.forename: Hugo W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hindersson
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eugen-Olsen
authors.forename: Aletta E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Schutte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000208:ethnology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012995:Solubility; D013019:South Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D002097:C-Reactive Protein