Therapeutic benefits of increasing natriuretic peptide levels.

Natriuretic peptides play an important role in water and salt homeostasis and in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. In recent years, exogenous administration of natriuretic peptides has primarily been used to improve our understanding of the role of natriuretic peptides. Also, it became evident that natriuretic peptides may be used therapeutically. Because of their peptide character, they cannot be administered orally and, therefore, may be used for short-term intravenous therapy only. In recent years, inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase, which degrades natriuretic peptides to inactive metabolites, have been investigated. This review focuses on the potential benefits of increasing natriuretic peptide levels, either through exogenous administration or inhibiting the degradation of endogenous natriuretic peptides.