<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent or substantially reduce the decomposition of BNP in a blood sample. <P>SOLUTION: At least one stabilizing component is selected from a group constituted of acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-arginal (leupeptin); N-(Nα-carbonyl-Arg-Val-argininal) Phe (antipain); H-D-Phe-Phe-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (PPACK); D-Phe-Pro-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (PPRACK); and a diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) and their combination. The stabilizing component is introduced by the amount that shows stabilizing action in the blood sample or a blood plasma sample to stabilize brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the sample. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO 
METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR STABILIZING BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE (BNP) IN BLOOD SAMPLE