B-type natriuretic peptide in the evaluation of cardiac function

B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its precursor, the inactive form of NT-pro-BNP, are currently the most studied laboratory parameters in the heart disease spectrum. The assessment of their blood concentrations provides invaluable information on the likelihood, severity and prognosis of the disease. The present review aims to describe the biological determinants, the factors that influence these peptide concentrations, the suggested cutoff values for the diagnosis of heart failure and the use of this biomarker in the assessment of cardiac function.

Efferent projections of the suprachiasmatic nucleus based on the distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) immunoreactive fibers in the hypothalamus of Sapajus apella

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Elapid Snake Venom Analyses Show the Specificity of the Peptide Composition at the Level of Genera Naja and Notechis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Interaction of a synthetic antimicrobial peptide with model membrane by fluorescence spectroscopy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of the aspartic acid D2 on the affinity of Polybia-MP1 to anionic lipid vesicles

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Peptide diversity in the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista (Hymenoptera): A comparison of the intra- and inter-colony compositions

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Peptide Prodrugs for the Treatment of CNS Disorders: A Perspective for New Drugs

The treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is a major challenge. The presence of the barrier intended to protect the brain from unwanted molecules also impairs the efficacy of CNS-targeted drugs. The discovery of drug targets for CNS diseases opens a door for the selective treatment of these diseases. However, the physicochemical properties of drugs, including their hydrophilic properties and their peripheral metabolism, as well as the blood-brain barrier, can adversely affect the therapeutic potential of CNS-targeted drugs. Although peptides are often metabolized by enzymes, they are of particular interest for the treatment of CNS diseases or as carriers to deliver drugs to the brain. In this review, we discuss the use of peptides as potential prodrugs for the treatment of CNS diseases.