What is the impact of obesity on plasma natriuretic peptide levels?
Studies have shown that obesity has been associated with a decrease in plasma natriuretic peptide levels. One such study in 2004 by Wang et al. found that there was a decreased level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in obese patients compared to non-obese patients. In addition, a 2005 study by Krauser et al. found that with increasing body mass index, there was a decrease in natriuretic peptide levels. It has also been suggested that this decrease could be due to increased metabolic activity in adipose tissues which could lead to an increase in natriuretic peptide receptor expression. Therefore, obesity has been linked to decreased plasma natriuretic peptide levels. 