Attenuation of biologic compensatory action of cardiac natriuretic peptide system with aging

Abstract Although plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels increase with age, the mechanisms responsible for this increase are unknown. We investigated the predictors of elevated BNP in older subjects without cardiac systolic dysfunction and overt renal dysfunction. Furthermore, we analyzed the relations between BNP and its second messenger, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), to aging. In 252 subjects (mean age 69 ± 12 years) with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% and creatinine levels ≤1.5 mg/dl, plasma levels of BNP, cGMP, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and β2-microglobulin (an endogenous marker of renal function), estimated glomerular filtration rate, and echocardiographic data were prospectively evaluated. Plasma BNP levels increased with age (r = 0.4, p