Human pro-B-type natriuretic peptide is processed in the circulation in a rat model.

Background: The appearance of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the blood is ultimately caused by proteolytic processing of its precursor, proBNP. The mechanisms leading to the high plasma concentration of unprocessed proBNP are still poorly understood. The goals of the present study were to examine whether processing of proBNP takes place in the circulation and to evaluate the clearance rate of proBNP and proBNP-derived peptides.