News - Genetic Variant of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Linked to Reduced Cardiometabolic Risk: Presented at HFSA

Genetic Variant of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Linked to Reduced Cardiometabolic Risk: Presented at HFSA
By Nancy A. Melville
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SAN DIEGO -- September 18, 2010 -- People carrying the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs5068 -- a genetic variant of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) -- have a lower cardiometabolic risk profile than individuals without the variant, suggesting a possible means for identifying people at higher risk for adverse cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, researchers reported here at the 13th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA).

"The minor allele is associated with increased levels of NT-proBNP [N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide], lower levels of systolic blood pressure and prevalence of MI [myocardial infarction], lower BMI [body mass index], and prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome," said Valentina Cannone, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, speaking here on September 13.

"Moreover, the minor allele is associated with higher levels of HDL [high-density lipoprotein] cholesterol, lower levels of insulin and we also analysed our population in terms of inflammation and found that C-reactive protein levels were lower in carriers of the minor allele," Cannone noted.

Researchers evaluating a random genotyped sample of 1,608 subjects who were residents in Olmsted County, Minnesota, aged 45 years and up, and of good clinical, biochemical health and who were well characterized on echocardiography.

In the population, the researchers found genotype frequencies of rs5068 were AA: 89.9%, AG: 9.7%, and GG: 0.4%. All subsequent analyses are AA vs AG + GG. The results showed that those with the G allele had increased plasma levels of NT-proANP (2,584 vs 2,189 pg/mL, P < .001); however, plasma levels of NT-proBNP were not different. In the AG + GG group, BMI was lower (27.4 vs 28.7 kg/m2, P = .004), as was the prevalence of obesity (22% vs 35%, P = .014) and levels of HDL cholesterol were higher (47 vs 42 mg/dL, P <= .001). In adjusting for age and gender, the results showed the minor allele was associated with a lower systolic blood pressure (odds ratio [OR], 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.00, P = .012) and lower prevalence of myocardial infarction (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.09-0.98; P = .046). The findings suggest that the presence of the minor allele together with higher levels of NT-proANP may help to identify a population at a lower cardiometabolic risk, Cannone concluded. "In addition, the absence of rs5068, characterised by decreased NT-proANP level, may serve as a diagnostic strategy to identify a population at risk for adverse cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, but of course further studies are required to confirm our findings and elucidate possible mechanisms," she added. ANP is well known to provide cardioprotective properties including natriuresis, aldosterone suppression, and vasodilating activity, and it has recently been shown to have a lipolytic effect in human adipocytes and increase lipid mobilisation in vivo. The SNP rs5068, located in an untranslated region of the ANP gene, is associated with increased levels of ANP and BNP, in addition to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a reduced risk of hypertension. [Presentation title: A Genetic Variant of the ANP Gene Is Associated With a Lower Cardiometabolic Risk Profile in the General USA Population. Study 010] News - Genetic Variant of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Linked to Reduced Cardiometabolic Risk: Presented at HFSA