N-Terminal Pro-C-Type Natriuretic Peptide: The Novel Marker in Selected Disease Units

Abstract

Amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP) is the N-terminal fragment of the CNP precursor. NT-proCNP occurs in an equimolar concentration with CNP in human plasma and is considered to be a marker of the extent of CNP biosynthesis. A recent study has shown associations between plasma NT-proCNP and blood pressure; it is also an independent predictor of death and cardiac readmission in people with unstable angina. Beyond that, recent studies have focused on the applicability of assessing NT-proCNP peptide levels in the diagnosis of diseases with different etiologies but the same denominator, i.e., inflammation. This study reviewed recent results on the usability of NT-proCNP peptide levels in the diagnosis of diseases accompanied by statistical analysis of previously reported results. The data obtained confirmed the applicability of the assessment of NT-proCNP levels in biological fluids in diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, sepsis, meningitis, and asthenozoospermia. The reported results demonstrated that NT-proCNP is helpful in a variety of diseases. Furthermore, changes in serum or CSF levels of NT-proCNP reflect only inflammatory states related to general inflammation. Local inflammation does not trigger an increase in NT-proCNP level.

Keywords: NT-proCNP; Parkinson's disease; asthenozoospermia; marker; meningitis; sepsis.