Cardiac natriuretic peptides.

Over the last four decades, cardiac natriuretic peptides have changed our understanding of patients with chronic heart failure. From the discovery of the heart as an endocrine organ with its own hormones and receptors, the biochemistry and physiology of the system have been translated into useful biomarkers and drug targets in cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this review is to provide medical researchers not working in the field with a simple introduction to the system and its molecular components, its quantitative methods, and its physiology and pathophysiology.

Treatment with senicapoc, a K 3.1 channel blocker, alleviates hypoxaemia in a mouse model of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background And Purpose: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by pulmonary oedema and severe hypoxaemia. We investigated whether genetic deficit or blockade of calcium-activated potassium (K 3.1) channels would counteract pulmonary oedema and hypoxaemia in ventilator-induced lung injury, an experimental model for ARDS.

Treatment with senicapoc in a porcine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: Senicapoc is a potent and selective blocker of KCa3.1, a calcium-activated potassium channel of intermediate conductance. In the present study, we investigated whether there is a beneficial effect of senicapoc in a large animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).