Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2025

Author Spotlight: A Pharmacodissection Approach to Uncover Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Populations
Published on: July 21, 2023
Differences in natriuretic peptide response in self-identified white and black individuals: a physiological clinical
Naman S Shetty1,2, Mokshad Gaonkar3, Nirav Patel3
1Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Black individuals have lower plasma natriuretic peptide (NP) concentrations than white individuals. However, race-based differences in the NP response to physiological perturbations are unknown. In this physiological trial (NCT#03070184), we measured the NP [mid-regional atrial NP (MR-proANP), N-terminal pro-B-type NP (NT-proBNP), and BNP] response to physiological perturbations among healthy, self-identified Black and white participants aged 18-40 years. The primary and secondary outcomes were the change in plasma NP concentrations at 6 weeks after metoprolol (initiated at 50 mg/day and doubled every 2 weeks) and standardized, aerobic exercise (70% of their maximal oxygen uptake on a salt-standardized background), respectively. Among 40 Black [median age: 27 (22, 32) years; 21 (52.5%) women] and 40 white [median age: 25 (20, 30) years; 19 (47.5%) women] participants, exercise increased MR-proANP (Black: 35%; white: 43%), NT-proBNP (Black: 11%; white: 23%), and BNP (Black: 59%; white: 61%) in both self-reported races. Exercise was associated with an increase in plasma MR-proANP (pinteraction: 0.25) and BNP (pinteraction: 0.87) concentrations which did not vary by self-reported race. However, the increase in plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were higher in white participants than in Black participants. (pinteraction: 0.04) Similarly, metoprolol therapy increased MR-proANP (Black: 18%; white: 16%), NT-proBNP (Black: 95%; white: 99%), and BNP (Black: 45%; white: 74%) in both self-reported races. The metoprolol-associated increase in plasma MR-proANP (pinteraction: 0.85), NT-proBNP (pinteraction: 0.94), and BNP (pinteraction: 0.21) concentrations were similar by self-reported race. In conclusion, the higher increase in plasma NT-proBNP concentrationsamong white patients after exercise suggests that exercise may induce significant physiological variations in NP levels. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03070184.
Related Concept Videos
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that enhance and extend the sympathetic or "fight or flight" physiological response. These hormones escalate heart rate and the force of contraction...

