B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Modulates Ghrelin, Hunger, and Satiety in Healthy Men

Abstract

Chronic heart failure is accompanied by anorexia and increased release of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) from ventricular cardiomyocytes. The pathophysiological mechanisms linking heart failure and appetite regulation remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the impact of intravenous BNP administration on appetite-regulating hormones and subjective ratings of hunger and satiety in 10 healthy volunteers. Participants received in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, single-blinded study (subject) placebo once and 3.0 pmol/kg/min human BNP-32 once administered as a continuous infusion during 4 h. Circulating concentrations of appetite-regulating peptides were measured hourly. Subjective ratings of hunger and satiety were evaluated by visual analog scales. BNP inhibited the fasting-induced increase in total and acylated ghrelin concentrations over time (P = 0.043 and P = 0.038, respectively). In addition, BNP decreased the subjective rating of hunger (P = 0.009) and increased the feeling of satiety (P = 0.012) when compared with placebo. There were no significant changes in circulating peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide 1, oxyntomodulin, pancreatic polypeptide, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations. In summary, our results demonstrate that BNP exerts anorectic effects and reduces ghrelin concentrations in men. These data, taken together with the known cardiovascular properties of ghrelin, support the existence of a heart–gut–brain axis, which could be therapeutically targeted in patients with heart failure and obesity.

Natriuretic Peptides, Heart, and Adipose Tissue: New Findings and Future Developments for Diabetes Research

“…A study performed in healthy fasting volunteers has shown that BNP infusion decreases hunger and increases satiety, possibly by lowering circulating ghrelin levels (34). Ghrelin also has direct cardiovascular effects (43), and this supports the existence of a bidirectional heart-gut cross talk.…”

Impact of diet on the human intestinal microbiota

“…[55]. These peptides can trigger autoantibodies like IgA and IgG as well as affect the nerve signalling of human and other mammalian animals thus controlling hunger and satiety [56].…”

The multifaceted role of natriuretic peptides in metabolic syndrome

“…The BNP hormone is also known to be clinically useful as of ANP and the human recombinant BNP, clinically also known as nesiritide (trade name Natrecor) mimics and has same actions as that of endogenous BNP [148–150]. It has been shown to cause a potential decrease in vascular pressure and a reduction in tension in the walls of blood vessels, which are the main hallmarks of vasorelaxation [149].…”

“…It has been shown to cause a potential decrease in vascular pressure and a reduction in tension in the walls of blood vessels, which are the main hallmarks of vasorelaxation [149]. Furthermore, natrecor treatment is also accompanied with an increase in natriuresis and diuresis, as well as decrease in plasma aldosterone and endothelin levels in patients with acute heart failure [150]. The intravenous BNP infusion is shown to reduce total and plasma acylated ghrelin concentrations in healthy volunteers [151].…”