title: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide is inversely associated with metabolic syndrome in hypertensive patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been shown that metabolic syndrome is associated with lower levels of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP) in the general population. However, there is no study about the association between Nt-proBNP and metabolic syndrome in hypertensive patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  : To elucidate the relationship between Nt-proBNP and components of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fasting blood samples were obtained from 74 hypertensive patients in our institution. Plasma levels of Nt-proBNP and other biochemical data were measured. Metabolic syndrome and its components were defined using diagnostic criteria from the International Diabetes Federation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four hypertensive patients met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. We found that plasma Nt-proBNP levels were lower in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome attributable to inverse relationships between Nt-proBNP and albumin, triglyceride, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and pancreatic β-cell function (HOMA-β). We further performed a multivariable linear regression analysis. The result showed that HOMA-IR is the independent predictor of plasma Nt-proBNP levels in hypertensive patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma Nt-proBNP levels are inversely associated with metabolic syndrome in hypertensive patients. HOMA-IR is the independent predictor of Nt-proBNP in hypertensive patients.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Cardiology (H-RC, J-CH, MYC, J-HW) and Nephrology (B-GH), Department of Internal Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Sciences (H-RC, MYC), Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; School of Medicine (B-GH, J-HW), Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; and Institute of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine (L-YW), College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Huai-Ren
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jen-Che
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Bang-Gee
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Ling-Yi
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yu-Chih Chen
authors.forename: Ji-Hung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain