What is brain natriuretic peptide

Brain natriuretic peptide, a member of the natriuretic peptide family mainly secreted by the heart, is a polypeptide composed of 32 amino acid residues. It is named because it was first found in the pig brain. It can regulate the self stable balance of blood pressure and blood volume, and has diuretic effect.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), also known as B-type natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide, is another member of the natriuretic peptide system after atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). It is named because it was first isolated from the pig brain by Japanese scholar sudoh in 1988. In fact, it mainly comes from the ventricle. BNP has important pathophysiological significance. It can promote sodium excretion and urination, has strong vasodilation, and can resist the vasoconstriction of renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS). Like ANP, BNP is an important endocrine system for human body to resist volume overload and hypertension. Cardiac dysfunction can greatly activate the natriuretic peptide system, and the increase of ventricular load leads to the release of BNP.