Recombinant B-type natriuretic peptide nesiritide attenuates vascular remodelling by reducing plasma aldosterone in rabbits

Background: This study was designed to investigate the effect of nesiritide, a recombinant B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), on plasma aldosterone and vascular remodelling following balloon-induced endothelial injuries to the iliac arteries.

Methods: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were divided into nesiritide (0.1mg/kg/day, sc, for 4 weeks, n=12) and saline-treated control group (n=12). A balloon catheter was inserted to the right iliac artery to induce endothelia injuries. Plasma aldosterone was measured before and 28 days after the treatment by radioimmunoassay.

Results: The area under internal elastic membrane (657.1±129.6 vs 486.7±124.0μm(2), P=0.02) and the area under external elastic membrane (1506.2±188.3.9 vs 1185.0±202.9μm(2), P=0.02) in the nesiritide group were greater than in the control group. The stenosis ratio in the nesiritide group was lower than in the control group (20.1±6.2% vs 39.6±9.5%, P=0.01). The plasma levels of aldosterone (2.03±0.31 vs 3.00±0.29ng/L, P<0.01) in the nesiritide group was lower than in the control group. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the levels of plasma aldosterone and the stenosis ratio of the injured right iliac arteries (r=0.622, P=0.002).

Conclusion: Nesiritide treatment reduced stenosis ratio of the rabbit iliac artery following balloon-induced endothelial injuries, and the reduced stenosis ratio was associated with a reduction in the plasma aldosterone concentrations.