NT-proBNP, C-reactive protein and soluble uPAR in a bi-ethnic male population: the SAfrEIC study

PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e58506. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058506. Epub 2013 Mar 13.

Abstract

Objective and design: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate associations between a marker of cardiac strain, the N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and inflammation as reflected by either a conventional or novel inflammatory marker in a bi-ethnic South African cohort.

Methods and subjects: We measured NT-proBNP, C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma-soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels along with conventional biomarkers in black (n = 117) and white (n = 116) men.

Results: NT-proBNP, CRP and suPAR levels were higher in black compared to white men. NT-proBNP was significantly associated with both CRP (r = 0.38; p = 0.001) and suPAR (r = 0.42; p<0.001) in black men only. After full adjustment in multiple regression analyses, the above associations of NT-proBNP with CRP (β = 0.199; p = 0.018) and suPAR (β = 0.257; p<0.01) were confirmed in black men.

Conclusion: These results suggest that a low-grade inflammatory state as reflected by both a conventional and novel marker of inflammation may contribute to higher cardiovascular risk as reflected by the associations obtained with a marker of cardiac strain in black South African men.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Black People / statistics & numerical data*
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / ethnology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Cohort Studies
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / ethnology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Male
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / metabolism*
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator / metabolism*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Solubility
  • South Africa / ethnology
  • White People / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • C-Reactive Protein

Grants and funding

The SAfrEIC study was supported by the South African National Research Foundation Grant (GUN 2073040), the Medical Research Council (South Africa) and the Africa Unit for Trans-disciplinary Health Research of the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus, South Africa). The funding parties had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.