Natriuretic peptides and their association with renin, aldosterone, and electrolytes in hypertension: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Despite the extensive prevalence of hypertension and its established role as a leading risk factor for various heart diseases, there remains a significant gap in understanding the intricate mechanisms and physiological markers involved in the condition. Although natriuretic peptides are known to regulate numerous physiological processes, their precise relationship with other physiological variables such as resistin, renin, aldosterone, and electrolytes in individuals with hypertension has not been thoroughly investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of natriuretic peptides and their correlation with some physiological variables, such as resistin, renin, aldosterone, sodium, potassium, and chloride in hypertensive patients. Methods. This cross-sectional study recruited 90 participants (50 hypertensive patients and 40 healthy volunteers as controls) between the ages of 30 and 50. The blood samples were collected from all the participants between December 2023 and April 2024 at Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital. Serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), renin, resistin, aldosterone, potassium, sodium, and chloride were measured. Results. The results showed that the concentration of ANP, BNP, and CNP was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the hypertensive group compared with the control group. Renin, resistin, sodium, and chloride concentrations in the hypertensive group were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the control group. Conversely, potassium levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the hypertensive patient group compared with the control group. There was a positive correlation between ANP with resistin and renin r=0.500, 0.505 respectively, while there is a negative correlation between ANP wilt sodium and chloride r= -0.321, r= -0.297 respectively, a positive correlation was observed between BNP and renin (r= 0.316), and aldosterone (r=0.395). Conclusions. The present study discovered that patients with hypertension experienced increased levels of natriuretic peptides, resistin, renin, and aldosterone, as well as a decline in the concentration of electrolytes. The observed associations between natriuretic peptides and certain physiological variables, such as resistin and renin, sodium, and chloride, highlight interconnected pathways involved in hypertension. This suggests that natriuretic peptides may be used as a treatment for hypertensive patients.