Relationship between plasma brain natriuretic peptide and serum fibrotic indices in acute myocardial infarction

AIM: To study the relationship between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and collagen metabolism after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by observing the level of plasma concentrations of BNP and the indexes of myocardial fibrosis. METHODS: AMI group was comprised of 37 patients who were conservatively treated and 32 healthy individuals were used as controls. Plasma BNP was determined by immunofluorescence, and carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PICP) and precollagen type Ⅲ (PC Ⅲ) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood samples were obtained from the normal controls and from the patients at 72 h, 30 days and 90 days after AMI. RESULTS: Compared with those in the normal control group, in the medically treated group, serum levels of PICP 30 days and 90 days after AMI as well as PC III after AMI increased and the increase was significantly correlated with plasma BNP. CONCLUSION: Collagen metabolism of the heart is activated after AMI, which is closely related to cardiac insufficiency and collagen remodeling. BNP may participate in the regulation of collagen metabolism after AMI.