Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide in hepatic cirrhosis

OBJECTIVES. Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP) is a novel peptide, that is structurally similar to atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides. Many natriuretic peptides are increased in hepatic cirrhosis, but the role of DNP in cirrhosis is unknown at present. The aim of the study was to inve stigate plasma levels of dendroaspis natriuretic-like immunoreactivity in c irrhosis. METHODS: We measured plasma concentrations of DNP by radioimmunoassay metho ds in 12 cirrhotic patients without ascites and 44 cirrhotic patients with ascites, and compared these values with 20 age-matched healthy subjects. Re nal function, plasma cGMP concentration, plasma renin activity, and plasma endothelin concentration were measured in each patient. RESULTS: Patients without ascites had circulating levels of DNP similar to those of healthy subjects. By contrast, patients with ascites had increased circulating DNP levels compared to both patients without ascites and healt hy subjects. In addition, circulating levels of DNP increased in relation t o the severity of cirrhosis. Significant positive correlations were also fo und between DNP levels, endothelin concentrations, and plasma renin activit y. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that plasma DNP is increase d in cirrhotic patients with ascites. (Am J Gastroenterol 2001;96:2724-2729 . (C) 2001 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology).