Brain natriuretic peptide (
BNP), also known as
B-type natriuretic peptide, is a hormone secreted by cardiomyocytes in the heart ventricles in response to stretching caused by increased ventricular blood volume. BNP is one of the three natriuretic peptides, in addition to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and C-type natriuretic peptide ( CNP). BNP was first discovered in porcine brain tissue in 1988, which led to its initial naming as "brain natriuretic peptide", although subsequent research revealed that BNP is primarily produced and secreted by the ventricular myocardium in response to increased ventricular blood volume and stretching. To reflect its true source, BNP is now often referred to as "B-type natriuretic peptide" while retaining the same acronym.