Feb 21, 2025 Story by: Editor
A recent physiological clinical study has unveiled significant differences in natriuretic peptide (NP) responses between self-identified white and black individuals. Natriuretic peptides are hormones produced by the heart that play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. Variations in NP levels have been linked to disparities in cardiovascular health outcomes among different racial groups.
The study observed that black participants exhibited considerably lower plasma NP levels compared to their white counterparts. This disparity persisted even after adjusting for factors such as hypertension, left ventricular mass, obesity, and age. These findings suggest an inherent “relative deficiency” of natriuretic peptides in black individuals. This deficiency may contribute to a heightened susceptibility to conditions like salt-sensitive hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy.
Genetic factors may partly explain these observed differences. Research indicates that natriuretic peptide levels are heritable traits. Specific genetic variants affecting NP synthesis and processing are more prevalent in black populations. For instance, certain missense variants in the corin gene, which is involved in NP activation, are more common among black individuals and are associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy.
Further studies have reinforced these findings. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis reported that black individuals had NT-proBNP levels 44% lower than white participants, even after accounting for various clinical factors. This significant difference underscores the potential role of genetic ancestry in influencing NP concentrations.
Understanding these racial differences in natriuretic peptide responses is vital for developing targeted strategies to address cardiovascular disparities. Enhancing the NP system could emerge as a novel preventive and therapeutic approach, particularly for high-risk groups exhibiting relative NP deficiencies. However, further research is necessary to explore the efficacy of such interventions across diverse racial populations. Source: Nature
