Elevated plasma concentrations of atrial and brain natriuretic peptide in type 1 diabetic subjects

BackgroundThe intravenous infusion of atrial (ANP) and brain (BNP) natriuretic peptides have been shown to increase urinary albumin excretion in type 1 diabetes.AimsTo measure plasma ANP and BNP concentrations in patients with type 1 diabetes and to examine the parameters associated with elevated plasma concentrations.MethodsWe measured plasma ANP and BNP concentrations, UAER, HbA1C systolic blood pressure, and left ventricular mass index. Plasma ANP and BNP were also measured in non-diabetic control subjects for comparison.ResultsUsing multivariate regression analysis plasma ANP correlated positively with HbA1C (1.9 + 0.47, p = 0.0002), UAER (0.37+ 0.05, p =0.00001), SBP (1.26 + 0.5, p = 0.01) and LVMI (0.46 + 0.25, p = 0.07). BNP was positively related with LVMI (0.95 + 0.4, p = 0.02), and UAER (0.56 + 0.08, p = 0.001).ConclusionsPlasma concentrations of ANP and BNP are elevated in some patients with type 1 diabetes. Plasma ANP concentrations are closely related to UAER and elevated plasma concentrations are associated with poor glycaemic control and systemic hypertension. Plasma BNP concentration is related to LVMI.