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Figure 3 Comparison of proBNP With BNP on Stimulation of Intracellular cGMP Accumulation in Vascular Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cells

Human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC), human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC), and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) were preincubated and treated with increasing concentrations of BNP or proBNP for 10 min. Cells were lysed, and the levels of cGMP in the lysates were measured. Values are mean ± standard deviation. BNP = B-type naturiuretic peptide; cGMP = cyclic guanosine monophosphate.