Elevated biomarkers lead to diminished quality of life in heart attack patients post-discharge Nov 16, 2009
33 percent had elevated level of the biomarker N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NTBNP) after six months. Both TnT and NTBNP are associated with shortness of breath; NTBNP is associated with angina. (EurekAlert!)
Brain Researchers Discover Molecule Responsible For Axonal Branching Sep 24, 2009
Through investigations on sensory neurons, Dr. Hannes Schmidt and his colleagues were able to identify a protein which triggers the splitting of the growth cone of the sensory axons: the peptide CNP (the abbreviation stands for C-type natriuretic peptide) ... When CNP binds to its receptor Npr2 (natriuretic peptide receptor 2) on the surface of the axons, this signaling cascade is set in motion, which in turn induces the formation of the secondary messenger molecule cGMP. This messenger molecule... (Science Daily)
Endothelin Drugs Benefit Those With Pulmonary Hypertension Sep 16, 2009
31, 2006) Measuring levels of a hormone called brain natriuretic peptide in individuals with serious lung disease can predict the presence of pulmonary hypertension and a patient's potential death or survival. (July 9, 2007) Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified a "central command system" for pulmonary hypertension, a disease that currently has no cure and kills thousands each. (Science Daily)
Heart Failure: Women Different From Men; Absence Of Women In Clinical Trials Hinders Development Of Tailored Treatments Aug 1, 2009
ScienceDaily (July 31, 2009) Striking differences in the risk factors for developing heart failure (HF) and patient prognosis exist between men and women. Men and women may also respond differently to treatment, raising concerns about whether current practices provide the best care and reinforcing the urgency for sex-specific clinical trials for HF, according to a review article published in the August 4, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (Science Daily)
Nile Therapeutics, Inc. Completes $3.4 Million Private Placement Jul 17, 2009
Nile is initially focusing its efforts on developing its lead compound, CD-NP, a novel rationally designed chimeric peptide in clinical studies for the treatment of heart failure, and CU-NP, a novel rationally designed natriuretic peptide. More information on Nile can be found at. (PR Newswire)
Newer Blood Tests May Not Improve Heart Risk Assessment Jul 2, 2009
The six biomarkers surveyed in the study were CRP, an indicator of inflammation; cystatin C; lipoprotein-associated phospholipase 2; midregional proadrenomedullin; midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide; and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide. Five of the biomarkers did help predict future heart problems, and three predicted problems in models that adjusted for conventional risk factors, but the improvement over usual risk factor assessments was "minimal" and "did not reclassify a... (MEDLINEplus)
Mayo Genomic Discovery: Protecting Kidney Function During Heart Failure Jun 16, 2009
The mapping of the human genome (2000-2003) revealed a gene that produces a protein called BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide). BNP was not only useful in diagnosing heart problems, it also proved therapeutic in treating heart failure. (PR Newswire)
Novel biomarkers in heart failure May 31, 2009
adrenomedullin hormone which is a potent vasodilator, with inotropic and natriuretic properties; assessment of mid-regional part of the proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM test) has been proved to add additional information on standard of care in the diagnosis of acute HF and to be useful in prognostic evaluation of these patients ... for cardiac function natriuretic peptides. (EurekAlert!)
International study identifies potential treatment targets for hypertension May 11, 2009
One region includes genes for two natriuretic peptides, proteins known to relax blood vessels and control sodium excretion by the kidneys ... "We were pleased to replicate the natriuretic peptide variant association in the Global BPgen paper, but we cannot yet say whether there may be a second association in the same region," Newton-Cheh notes. (EurekAlert!)
New Tests Provide New Insight Into Why Patients Are In Heart Failure Apr 9, 2009
Using novel assays they developed, Medical College of Georgia researchers found people in heart failure have less of the enzyme corin needed to activate pro-ANP, or pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, a hormone made by heart muscle cells that, when active, helps reduce extra sodium and fluid that tax the cardiovascular system ... More recently a substance similar to ANP, called brain natriuretic peptide, or BNP, also is being used. (Science Daily)
Improved Predictive Value Of Biomarkers In Heart Failure Makes Earlier Diagnosis And Better Management Possible Apr 7, 2009
According to results from a study in Hull, UK, repeat measurement of the well established biomarker N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) once treatment has been optimised provides stronger prognostic information than either the baseline value, the change in NT-proBNP, or other conventional methods of assessment ... More and more clinicians are using information from natriuretic peptides. (Science Daily)
Nile Therapeutics Provides Update on Phase II CD-NP Clinical Trial for Acute Heart Failure Mar 28, 2009
CD-NP is a novel chimeric natriuretic peptide in clinical development for the treatment of acute heart failure. CD-NP was designed to have direct hemodynamic and renal activity to reduce symptoms of dyspnea, be diuretic and natriuretic and preserve or enhance renal function in heart failure patients ... Nile is initially focusing its efforts on developing its lead compound, CD-NP, a novel rationally designed chimeric peptide in clinical studies for the treatment of heart failure, and CU-NP, a... (PR Newswire)
Nile Therapeutics Announces Information in Compliance With NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4350 and Reiterates 2009 Objectives Mar 19, 2009
Nile is initially focusing its efforts on developing its lead compound, CD-NP, a novel rationally designed chimeric peptide in clinical studies for the treatment of heart failure, and CU-NP, a novel rationally designed natriuretic peptide. A key component of the company's strategy is to acquire the global rights to additional compounds to expand its portfolio. (PR Newswire)
Pulmonary Hypertension In Children May Result From Reduced Activity Of Gene Regulator Mar 14, 2009
31, 2006) Measuring levels of a hormone called brain natriuretic peptide in individuals with serious lung disease can predict the presence of pulmonary hypertension and a patient's potential death or survival. . (Science Daily)
Genes That Control Body's Salt Levels Are Identified Feb 17, 2009
"What distinguishes this study is the ability to genotype 30,000 people to establish a relationship that these gene variants cause higher levels of natriuretic peptides and therefore are related to blood pressure." Natriuretic peptides are compounds that help the body get rid of salt ... The researchers looked at variants of two genes for these peptides -- atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) ... "What's exciting about this study is that it proves that in human... (U.S. News & World Report)
Common gene variants increase risk of hypertension, may lead to new therapies Feb 16, 2009
To search for hypertension-associated variants, the investigators focused on two genes called NPPA and NPPB that are involved in the production of atrial and B-type natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) proteins known to relax blood vessels and to be involved in the excretion of dietary sodium ... The researchers first screened 1,700 participants in the Framingham Heart Study for 13 common variations called single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NPPA and NPPB genes, looking for any... (EurekAlert!)
Monitoring Protein Didn't Improve Heart Failure Outcomes Feb 7, 2009
TUESDAY, Jan. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Using the biomarker molecule known as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) to guide treatment for older people with chronic heart failure did not improve the clinical outcome in most cases in a Swiss study. There have been conflicting reports about the value of monitoring blood levels of BNP, a protein produced by stressed heart cells, for better management of heart failure. (MEDLINEplus)
