DETECTION OF C-TYPE NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE IN NORMAL-PREGNANCY

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a recently identified member of th e family of natriuretic peptides that plays an important role in the r egulation of blood pressure, renal function and volume homeostasis. It s effects are mainly hypotensive and natriuretic. CNP is also consider ed to be an autocrine / paracrine regulator of the endothelium as well as a neuropeptide. Little is known about its role as a circulating su bstance. There are only few data of CNP plasma levels and changes in d isease. Using a highly specific radioimmunoassay we established for th e first time CNP plasma levels of normal pregnancies 5.9 +/- 1.5-8.6 /- 2.1 pg/ml) and a non-pregnant control group (8.1 +/- 1.7 pg/ml). In contrast to atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide we have not found significant differences of the plasma levels during normal pregnancy and no difference to the non-pregnant control group.