BACKGROUND: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac neurohormone synthesized in cardiac ventricles as a result of increased wall stress. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support in patients with end-stage heart failure results in reduced wall stress and therefore may change BNP levels in the heart. METHODS: BNP plasma levels were measured in 17 patients with end-stage HF before LVAD implantation and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after LVAD support. BNP-messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in cardiac biopsy specimens of 27 patients before and after LVAD support was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and IHC-double staining was used in biopsy specimens from 32 patients before and after LVAD support to localize the BNP protein expression in the heart. RESULTS: BNP plasma levels significantly decreased from 1,872 +/- 1,098 pg/ml before implantation to 117 +/- 91 pg/ml at 3 months after LVAD implantation. This decrease in plasma levels was accompanied by a significant decrease in mRNA expression (relative quantity) in the heart. IHC and IHC-double staining showed BNP immunoreactivity in the cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, infiltrating T cells, and macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease in serum BNP concentration after LVAD support coincides with a decrease in BNP mRNA and protein expression in the heart. BNP is produced in the left ventricle not only by cardiomyocytes but also by endothelial cells, T cells, and macrophages. Unloading of the left ventricle by a LVAD results in decreased BNP expression in the heart and plasma and may play an important role in the reverse remodeling process of the heart.
BACKGROUND:Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac neurohormone synthesized in cardiac ventricles as a result of increased wall stress. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support in patients with end-stage heart failure results in reduced wall stress and therefore may change BNP levels in the heart. METHODS:BNP plasma levels were measured in 17 patients with end-stage HF before LVAD implantation and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after LVAD support. BNP-messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in cardiac biopsy specimens of 27 patients before and after LVAD support was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and IHC-double staining was used in biopsy specimens from 32 patients before and after LVAD support to localize the BNP protein expression in the heart. RESULTS:BNP plasma levels significantly decreased from 1,872 +/- 1,098 pg/ml before implantation to 117 +/- 91 pg/ml at 3 months after LVAD implantation. This decrease in plasma levels was accompanied by a significant decrease in mRNA expression (relative quantity) in the heart. IHC and IHC-double staining showed BNP immunoreactivity in the cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, infiltrating T cells, and macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease in serum BNP concentration after LVAD support coincides with a decrease in BNP mRNA and protein expression in the heart. BNP is produced in the left ventricle not only by cardiomyocytes but also by endothelial cells, T cells, and macrophages. Unloading of the left ventricle by a LVAD results in decreased BNP expression in the heart and plasma and may play an important role in the reverse remodeling process of the heart.
Authors: Stavros G Drakos; Abdallah G Kfoury; Josef Stehlik; Craig H Selzman; Bruce B Reid; John V Terrovitis; John N Nanas; Dean Y Li Journal: Circulation Date: 2012-07-10 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Leanne Elizabeth Felkin; Enrique A Lara-Pezzi; Jennifer L Hall; Emma J Birks; Paul J R Barton Journal: J Cardiovasc Transl Res Date: 2011-03-22 Impact factor: 4.132
Authors: Tomoko Ichiki; John A Schirger; Brenda K Huntley; Frank V Brozovich; Joseph J Maleszewski; Sharon M Sandberg; S Jeson Sangaralingham; Soon J Park; John C Burnett Journal: J Mol Cell Cardiol Date: 2014-08-09 Impact factor: 5.000
Authors: Michaela Kuhn; Katharina Völker; Kristine Schwarz; Javier Carbajo-Lozoya; Ulrich Flögel; Christoph Jacoby; Jörg Stypmann; Martin van Eickels; Stepan Gambaryan; Michael Hartmann; Matthias Werner; Thomas Wieland; Jürgen Schrader; Hideo A Baba Journal: J Clin Invest Date: 2009-07 Impact factor: 14.808