Brain natriuretic peptide

The Brain Natriuretic Peptide (a Mißnomen) belongs to the so-called "natriuretic peptides" of the heart (see also ANP, CNP). BNP ensures that sodium is excreted by the kidneys. BNP is an antagonist of the blood pressure-increasing renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The peptide is mainly formed during pressure and volume load in the ventricles, to a lesser extent in the atria.

BNP is therefore important for the water and salt balance of the body as well as for blood pressure. It is the antagonist of the system in the body that causes blood pressure to rise, namely the so-called "renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system". BNP inhibits the release of renin (hormone produced by the kidneys that causes blood pressure to rise) and aldosterone (hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that prevents sodium from being excreted by the kidneys). It also has a vasodilatory effect (vasodilatation). BNP is found in high concentration in patients with heart failure.

BNP was first discovered in the brain of pigs, hence the name "brain".

The term "natriuretic" means that by influencing NPs sodium is excreted with the urine. BPN stimulates the kidneys to excrete sodium. If BNP is present in high concentrations in the blood, it also increases the blood flow in the kidney and the glomerular filtration rate.

Standard values: BNP values up to a maximum of 100 ng/l serum are considered normal. Reference values may vary from laboratory to laboratory. Furthermore, there may be strong diurnal and (seasonal) seasonal variations without disease value.

The BNP plasma levels are in women >men. They increase with increasing age. BNP levels in the blood > 100 ng/l indicate above all heart damage - e.g. a heart attack or heart failure. Kidney, lung and liver diseases can also lead to increased BNP values.

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