Associations of atrial natriuretic peptide with measures of insulin and adipose depots

Low concentrations of natriuretic peptides (NPs) have been associated with greater risk for Type 2 diabetes (T2D). African American individuals (AA) have lower NP levels and are disproportionately burdened by T2D. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that higher post‐challenge insulin in AA adults is associated with lower plasma N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (NT‐proANP). A secondary purpose was to explore associations between NT‐proANP and adipose depots. Participants were 112 AA and European American (EA) adult men and women. Measures of insulin were obtained from an oral glucose tolerance test and hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic glucose clamp. Total and regional adipose depots were measured from DXA and MRI. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess associations of NT‐proANP with measures of insulin and adipose depots. Lower NT‐proANP concentrations in AA participants was not independent of 30‐min insulin area under the curve (AUC). NT‐proANP was inversely associated with 30‐min insulin AUC in AA participants, and with fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR in EA participants. Thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue and perimuscular adipose tissue were positively associated with NT‐proANP in EA participants. Higher post‐challenge insulin may contribute to lower ANP concentrations in AA adults.