The class of cardiac neurohormones was first described by de Bold et al.4,5 This family of structurally similar but genetically distinct molecules includes BNP, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). These three natriuretic peptides (NPs) are synthesized as high molecular weight precursors. NT-proBNP is a cleavage product of pro-Brain natriuretic peptide (proBNP) The precursor molecule proBNP is a peptide consisting of 108 amino acids .6,7 During intracellular peptide maturation, cleavage of this precursor molecule by an endoproteinase results in formation of the biologically active BNP peptide and the biologically inactive 76 amino acid N-terminal fragment, NT-proBNP. 8

 

    翻译：de Bold等人先描述了心脏神经激素的类别。4,5这一系列在结构上相似，但分子基因明显不同，其中包括BNP、心房钠尿肽（ANP）和C型钠尿肽（CNP）。这三种尿钠肽合成为高分子量前体。NT-proBNP是脑钠肽原（proBNP）的一种分裂产物。前体分子proBNP是一种由108种氨基酸构成的肽。6,7在细胞内肽成熟期间，由内切蛋白酶引起的该前体分子的分裂导致具有生物活性的BNP肽和76氨基酸氨基末端片段,NT-proBNP的形成。8

 

    The NPs possess potent diuretic, natriuretic and vasodilatory properties and have been reported as valuable diagnostic and prognostic markers in cardiovascular disease, particularly for patients in NYHA classes I-IV CHF.9 In particular, measurement of plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP has utility as a valuable tool for aiding in the diagnosis and the assessment of severity of patients with CHF.10,11

 

    翻译：NPs含有有效利尿剂、排钠利尿和血管舒张物质，现已报告为一种有用的心血管疾病诊断和预后标志物，尤其是对于NYHA I-IV级 CHF患者。9特别是，在诊断和评价CHF患者的严重性方面， NT-proBNP血浆浓度测量可作为一种辅助工具使用。10,11