On this week's episode, we explore the world of natriuretic peptides; special signal molecules that help reduce the effects of heart failure. We look at what these peptides are, how they work, and how they are being used in medicine to help those with chronic heart failure. Acronyms in this article: Abbreviation | Meaning | Explanation NP | Natriuretic peptides | A class of signaling molecules found in the blood Na | Sodium (from natrium) | An key element; part of dietary salt ANP | Atrial natriuretic peptide | A natriuretic peptide produced in the atria of the heart BNP | “Brain” natriuretic peptide | A natriuretic peptide produced in the ventricles of the heart CNP | C-type natriuretic peptide | A natriuretic peptide produced by cells for local communication NPR1 | Natriuretic peptide receptor-1 | A cellular receptor that senses natriuretic peptides ANP and BNP NPR-A | Natriuretic peptide receptor-A | Another name for NPR1 (above) GC-A | Guanylyl cyclase-A | Another name for NPR1 (above), describes the activity inside the cell instead of what activates it cGMP | Cyclic guanosine monophosphate | Secondary messenger used for signaling inside of cells, activated by guanylyl cyclases References Dunn ME, Kithcart A, Kim JH, Ho AJ, Franklin MC, Romero Hernandez A, de Hoon J, Botermans W, Meyer J, Jin X, Zhang D. Agonist antibody to guanylate cyclase receptor NPR1 regulates vascular tone. Nature. 2024 Sep 19;633(8030):654-61. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07903-1 Rao S, Pena C, Shurmur S, Nugent K. Atrial natriuretic peptide: structure, function, and physiological effects: a narrative review. Current Cardiology Reviews. 2021 Nov 1;17(6):17-27. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573403X17666210202102210 Kuhn M. Structure, regulation, and function of mammalian membrane guanylyl cyclase receptors, with a focus on guanylyl cyclase-A. Circulation research. 2003 Oct 17;93(8):700-9. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.RES.0000094745.28948.4D Potter LR, Abbey-Hosch S, Dickey DM. Natriuretic peptides, their receptors, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent signaling functions. Endocrine reviews. 2006 Feb 1;27(1):47-72. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2005-0014 Nishikimi T, Maeda N, Matsuoka H. The role of natriuretic peptides in cardioprotection. Cardiovascular research. 2006 Feb 1;69(2):318-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardiores.2005.10.001 Friebe A, Sandner P, Schmidtko A. cGMP: a unique 2nd messenger molecule–recent developments in cGMP research and development. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology. 2020 Feb;393(2):287-302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-019-01779-z Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Human anatomy & physiology. [11th Edition]. [Hoboken, New Jersey]: Pearson; [2019]. p.402-403 Curry FR. Atrial natriuretic peptide: an essential physiological regulator of transvascular fluid, protein transport, and plasma volume. The Journal of clinical investigation. 2005 Jun 1;115(6):1458-61. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI25417 Ibebuogu UN, Gladysheva IP, Houng AK, Reed GL. Decompensated heart failure is associated with reduced corin levels and decreased cleavage of pro–atrial natriuretic peptide. Circulation: Heart Failure. 2011 Mar;4(2):114-20. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.109.895581 Share with a friend. Rate, Review, and Subscribe to MedEvidence! Articles to be notified when new episodes are released. Follow us on Social Media: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Tiktok Youtube For more great content, including discussions by physicians and clinical research experts, check out the MedEvidence! Podcast and MedEvidence.com Thank you for listening!