Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), also referred to as ventricular natriuretic peptide or B-type natriuretic peptide, is a hormone secreted by the human heart. Cardiomyocytes or cardiac muscles in the left ventricle secrete BNP. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to different parts of the body and therefore controls blood pressure and volume.
BNP is a moiety of a precursor protein, pro-BNP. The heart continuously produces pro-BNP. An enzyme Corin splits pro-BNP and releases two moieties, a 32-amino acid polypeptide active hormone BNP and a non-active 76-amino acid N-terminal prohormone NT-proBNP (also abbreviated as BNPT). In response to increased ventricular blood volume, the heart releases larger quantities of BNP and NT-proBNP. An increase in BNP and NT-proBNP facilitates fluid retention and volume expansion in the veins and arteries and causes the heart to stretch and pump more blood.
Research has associated both BNP and NT-proBNP with congestive heart failure, which is best tested by a B type natriuretic peptide test. BNP and NT-proBNP plasma concentrations are typically high in symptomatic and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction patients.
Connect With Us For A Reference Call With Them!
Researchers consider BNP levels as an excellent biomarker for cardiovascular conditions. We, at NorthEast BioLabs, perform BNP and NT-proBNP tests to suit your desired testing parameters via MSD, Luminex, and ELISA. The pro BNP lab test assays use human plasma, serum, or culture supernatant and cell/tissue lysate samples.
Following is a typical Lumiex based protocol to assay B Type Natriuretic Peptide or BNP.
The BNP test assay identifies each microsphere and quantifies them through fluorescent reporter signals. These assays are highly sensitive, with sensitivity ranging from 37.5 pg/ml (overnight protocol) and 63.0 pg/ml (2hr protocol) for BNP and 18.8 pg/ml (overnight protocol) and 6.3 pg/ml (2hr protocol) for NT-proBNP along with a high accuracy of 99% for BNP and 97% NT-proBNP.
Medical science is increasingly relying on both BNP and NT-proBNP levels for heart failure. Studies have observed that people undergoing drug therapies for heart failure, have lower levels of B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP. The BNP lab tests show that these levels may increase in patients with kidney disorders, as they are feeble in renal clearance.
It is important to understand B type natriuretic peptide function as both BNP and NT-proBNP levels increase with left ventricular dysfunction. We cannot compare them directly. Today, several clinical therapies are focusing on BNP and trying to exploit its functions for a potential therapeutic for heart failure.
Below are some recommended resources for further information on BNP and NT-proBNP.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/16814-nt-prob-type-natriuretic-peptide-bnp
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007509.htm
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=bnp_blood
How long do you think it takes for a new drug to get approved in the US? About 12-15 years, that’s roughly 1/3rd duration of the entire professional career for any of us. Next, how much investment do you think is required to bring a new drug to market?
Dyspnea i.e., trouble in breathing, is a hallmark symptom of heart failure. Several conditions such as lung, liver, or kidney disorders may also cause dyspnea. Scientists and researchers use the B type natriuretic peptide to confirm heart failure. Therefore, testing BNP levels by lab specialists is essential to confirm the underlying reasons for the symptoms.
The heart secretes b type natriuretic peptide or BNP in response to increased ventricular blood volume and pressure. This promotes natriuresis, diuresis, vasodilation, and decreases the central venous pressure and systemic vascular resistance. As BNP decreases the systemic vascular resistance, the blood pressure is decreased. Moreover, as the central venous pressure decreases, BNP eventually lowers the overall cardiac output. Cardiac muscles of the left ventricle secretes BNP, therefore high levels of BNP affect the functioning of the heart and may show left ventricular dysfunction.