2004 | Thomas J. Wang, MD; Martin G. Larson, ScD; Daniel Levy, MD; Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM; Eric P. Leip, MS; Peter W.F. Wilson, MD; Ramachandran S. Vasan, MD
The study investigates the relationship between obesity and plasma natriuretic peptide (NP) levels, specifically B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (N-ANP). Using data from the Framingham Heart Study, the researchers found that obese individuals had significantly lower plasma BNP and N-ANP levels compared to lean individuals, with a trend towards lower levels in both men and women. The odds of having low plasma BNP and N-ANP were higher in obese individuals, and these effects were additive with diabetes. The study also found that waist circumference, a measure of central adiposity, was associated with lower natriuretic peptide levels. The findings suggest that low natriuretic peptide levels in obese individuals may contribute to their susceptibility to hypertension and related cardiovascular disorders. The study highlights the potential role of the natriuretic peptide system in the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension and suggests that interventions targeting this system could be beneficial.The study investigates the relationship between obesity and plasma natriuretic peptide (NP) levels, specifically B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (N-ANP). Using data from the Framingham Heart Study, the researchers found that obese individuals had significantly lower plasma BNP and N-ANP levels compared to lean individuals, with a trend towards lower levels in both men and women. The odds of having low plasma BNP and N-ANP were higher in obese individuals, and these effects were additive with diabetes. The study also found that waist circumference, a measure of central adiposity, was associated with lower natriuretic peptide levels. The findings suggest that low natriuretic peptide levels in obese individuals may contribute to their susceptibility to hypertension and related cardiovascular disorders. The study highlights the potential role of the natriuretic peptide system in the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension and suggests that interventions targeting this system could be beneficial.