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N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide is inversely associated with metabolic syndrome in hypertensive patients
Huai-Ren Chang1, Jen-Che Hsieh, Bang-Gee Hsu
1Divisions 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.
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.
Aim:
: 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.
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