Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice
08:34

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice

Published on: July 25, 2019

C-type natriuretic peptide and heart failure

Silvia Del Ry1, Claudio Passino, Michele Emdin

  • 1CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.

Pharmacological Research
|August 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), a vasodilator, is increasingly recognized for its role in cardiovascular functions. Research suggests CNP may be a significant mediator in heart failure, though further study is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a vasodilator produced by vascular endothelium.
  • CNP shares properties with atrial (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptides (BNP), key in heart failure.
  • The precise role of CNP in cardiovascular pathophysiology, especially heart failure, remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cardiovascular functions of CNP.
  • To examine the specific role of CNP in the pathophysiology of chronic heart failure (CHF).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on CNP.
  • Analysis of CNP's genetic regulation and peptide forms.
  • Investigation of CNP's presence and levels in myocardial tissue and plasma.

Main Results:

  • CNP is produced in the myocardium, with elevated plasma levels observed in CHF.
  • Two mature forms, CNP-53 (tissue) and CNP-22 (plasma), have been identified.
  • Gene transcription is influenced by factors like tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1.

Conclusions:

  • CNP exhibits vasodilative properties and is implicated in cardiovascular regulation.
  • CNP may function as a crucial local (autocrine) and systemic (endocrine) mediator in CHF.
  • Further research is essential to fully elucidate CNP's pathophysiological significance in chronic heart failure.

More Related Videos

Cardiac Loading using Passive Left Atrial Pressurization and Passive Afterload for Graft Assessment08:49

Cardiac Loading using Passive Left Atrial Pressurization and Passive Afterload for Graft Assessment

Published on: August 2, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics

Heart failure and kidney perfusion are interconnected in a complex way. Reduced renal perfusion and venous congestion are two significant factors that contribute to renal dysfunction in heart failure. The kidneys, primarily responsible for fluid balance in the body, are adversely affected due to compromised cardiac output and increased venous pressure. In response to reduced renal perfusion, the kidneys activate neurohumoral mechanisms to restore balance. However, these mechanisms can be...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include: