Description
Principle of the assay: This assay employs a two-site sandwich ELISA to quantitative Pro-ANP in Human serum, plasma. An antibody specific for Pro-ANP has been pre-coated onto a microplate. Standards and samples are pipetted into the wells and any Pro-ANP present is bound by the immobilized antibody. After removing any unbound substances, a biotin - conjugated antibody specific for Pro-ANP is added to the wells. After washing, Streptavidin conjugated Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) is added to the wells. Following a wash to remove any unbound avidin-enzyme reagent, a substrate solution is added to the wells and color develops in proportion to the amount of Pro-ANP bound in the initial step. The color development is stopped and the intensity of the color is measured.
Background: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH), Cardionatrine, Cardiodilatine (CDD) or atriopeptin, is a powerful vasodilator, and a protein (polypeptide) hormone secreted by heart muscle cells. It is involved in the homeostatic control of body water, sodium, potassium and fat (adipose tissue). It is released by muscle cells in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart (atrial myocytes) in response to high blood volume. ANP acts to reduce the water, sodium and adipose loads on the circulatory system, thereby reducing blood pressure. ANP has exactly the opposite function of the aldosterone secreted by the zona glomerulosa in regard to its effect on sodium in the kidney - that is, aldosterone stimulates sodium retention and ANP generates sodium loss