Augmentation of the cardiac natriuretic peptides by beta-receptor antagonism: evidence from a population-based study

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology Vol. 32; no. 7; pp. 1839 - 1844
• Main Authors: Luchner, Andreas, Burnett, John C., Jougasaki, Michihisa, Hense, Hans-Werner, Riegger, Günter A.J., Schunkert, Heribert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.12.1998; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - pharmacology; Aged; Antihypertensive agents; Atrial Natriuretic Factor - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Drug Interactions; Female; Heart - drug effects; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain - blood; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Regression Analysis; Retrospective Studies; Sympathetic Nervous System - drug effects; LVM; ACE; ANP; EDD; BNP; LVMI; cGMP; FS; Human; Pharmacologic test; Brain natriuretic peptide; Antihypertensive agent; 3',5'-GMP; Atrial natriuretic peptide; Beta blocking agent
• ISSN: 0735-1097; 1558-3597
• DOI: 10.1016/S0735-1097(98)00478-1

Objectives. The present retrospective analysis of data derived from a population-based study examined the relationship between intake of beta-receptor antagonists and plasma concentrations of the cardiac natriuretic peptides and their second messenger. Background. Beta-receptor antagonists are widely used for treatment of cardiovascular disease. In addition to direct effects on heart rate and cardiac contractility, recent evidence suggests that beta-receptor antagonists may also modulate the cross talk between the sympathetic nervous system and the cardiac natriuretic peptide system. Methods. Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and their second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were assessed in addition to anthropometric, hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters in a population-based sample (n = 672), of which 80 subjects used beta-receptor antagonists. Results. Compared to subjects without medication, subjects receiving beta-receptor antagonists were characterized by substantially elevated ANP, BNP and cGMP plasma concentrations (plus 32%, 89% and 18%, respectively, p < 0.01 each). Analysis of subgroups revealed that this effect was highly consistent and present even in the absence of hypertension, left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy or left ventricular dysfunction. The most prominent increase was observed in a subgroup with increased left ventricular mass index. By multivariate analysis, a statistically significant and independent association between beta-receptor antagonism and ANP, BNP and cGMP concentrations was confirmed. Such an association could not be demonstrated for other antihypertensive agents such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or diuretics. Conclusions. Beta-receptor antagonists appear to augment plasma ANP, BNP and cGMP concentrations. The current observation suggests an important contribution of the cardiac natriuretic peptide system to the therapeutic mechanism of beta-receptor antagonists.