Rat NT-proBNP -  clinically relevant levels in TACO rat model

We´re thrilled to share that our rat NT-proBNP ELISA kit (BI-1204R) was recently reviewed on Biocompare. The researchers stated “we are highly satisfied with the results, as we clearly observed clinically relevant rat NT-proBNP levels and the anticipated changes from baseline to completion.”

Read the review on Biocompare and click here:

-The good: Requires minimal sample volume, supports room temperature reactions, includes sufficient reagents for three runs in duplicate, and comes with a built-in control.

-The Bottom Line : A straightforward and easy-to-use kit with color-coded reagents, requiring only a small sample volume and room temperature incubations. Provides sufficient reagents for at least three runs in duplicate, and delivers clinically relevant data.

The investigators evaluated the impact of platelet transfusion on TACO development in a validated TACO rat model with heart failure.

Background:

• Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) accounts for 35% of transfusion-related fatalities.
• TACO after platelet transfusion has an increased mortality

Key findings:

• Platelet transfusion significantly increases Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Pressure (LVEDP)
• Platelet transfusion induces oxygenation impairment
• NT-proBNP is a biomarker supportive of TACO development
• Clinically, the results highlight the importance of cautious use of both plasma and platelet transfusions, particularly in high-risk patients

Figure: Rat NT-proBNP level changes in a preclinical model with myocardial infarction

Rat NT-proBNP – clinically relevant levels in TACO rat model

Platelet transfusion induces transfusion-associated circulatory overload in rats with myocardial infarction. Phelp PG et al.,Transfusion. 2025 Jul;65(7):1251-1263. PMID: 40384327.

Abstract

Background: Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) accounts for 35% of transfusion-related fatalities. Previous pre-clinical studies explored plasma and red blood cell transfusion in TACO, but the effect of platelets remains unexplored. Platelet transfusions have the highest rate of adverse reactions and are associated with increased mortality in TACO patients. We aimed to determine whether platelet transfusion induces circulatory overload compared to crystalloids and whether it causes a more severe phenotype than plasma in a TACO rat model of myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: A validated TACO model in anemic Wistar rats with MI was used. Animals received platelets (n = 11), plasma (n = 10), or Ringer’s lactate (n = 11). Pulmonary capillary pressure was assessed via left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). The primary outcome was the change in LVEDP (ΔLVEDP) following transfusion. Secondary outcomes included pulmonary wet/dry weight ratio, oxygen tension or partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) ratio, and circulating biomarkers.

Results: LVEDP following platelet transfusion (10.4 ± 4.6 mmHg) was significantly greater than Ringer’s lactate (0.9 ± 1.4 mmHg; p < .001), but similar to plasma (13.0 ± 7.7 mmHg; p > .5). Pulmonary wet/dry weight ratios were comparable across groups (p > .5). At termination, PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio was significantly lower after platelet transfusion (372 ± 48) compared to Ringer’s Lactate (447 ± 79; p < .05). N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) did not differ between groups at termination (p > .1). However, NT-proBNP significantly increased from baseline (50 ± 24 pg/mL) to termination (177 ± 86 pg/mL) across all groups (p < .001).

Discussion: Platelet transfusion induces circulatory overload in a TACO rat model with heart failure when compared to crystalloids, showing a trend toward reduced oxygenation compared to plasma transfusion. Further investigation is needed to determine the pathophysiological mechanisms.

 

Rat NT-proBNP ELISA (cat. no. BI-1204R)

• Size: 12×8-well detachable strips
• Sensitivity: LOD: 21 pg/ml; LLOQ: 50 pg/ml
• Dynamic Range: 0 – 3200 pg/ml (0 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200)
• Sample Type: rat serum, plasma
• Sample Size: 10 µL/well
• Assay time: 3.5 hours
• Protocol booklet – reference values provided (click here)
• Species: Rat
• Alternative Names: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, NT-proBNP
• For Research Use Only
• Control included, color coded reagents

 

Product Citations: 

–Circulating mitochondria carrying cGAS promote endothelial Secreted group IIA phospholipase A2-mediated neuroinflammation through activating astroglial/microglial Integrin-alphavbeta3 in subfornical organ to augment central sympathetic overdrive in heart failure rats. Zhang S, Huang Y, Han C, Chen M, Yang Z, Wang C. Int Immunopharmacol. 2025 Jan 10;144:113649. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113649. Epub 2024 Nov 24. PMID: 39586230.

Snippet: C-1 (C2006), MitoTracker Green (C1048), and MitoTracker Red (C1049) were purchased from Beyotime (Shanghai, China). The rat NT-proBNP ELISA Kit (BI-1204R) and rat NE ELISA Assay Kit (EA633/96) were obtained from Eagle Biosciences (Amherst, NH, USA).

–Platelet transfusion induces transfusion-associated circulatory overload in rats with myocardial infarction. Phelp PG, Hurks B, Polet CA, Roelofs JJTH, Tuip-de Boer AM, Kapur R, Vlaar APJ, van den Brom CE, Klanderman RB.Transfusion. 2025 Jul;65(7):1251-1263. doi: 10.1111/trf.18285. Epub 2025 May 19. PMID: 40384327; PMCID: PMC12227162.

 Snippet: N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP; Cat# BI-1204R, Biomedica, Austria)

–Leucine Supplementation Improves Diastolic Function in HFpEF by HDAC4 Inhibition. Alves PKN, Schauer A, Augstein A, Männel A, Barthel P, Joachim D, Friedrich J, Prieto ME, Moriscot AS, Linke A, Adams V. Cells. 2023 Nov 2;12(21):2561. doi: 10.3390/cells12212561. PMID: 37947639; PMCID: PMC10648219.

Snippet: Blood serum was separated by centrifugation, and NT-proBNP levels were measured using RatNT-proBNP ELISA (Biomedica Immunoassays, Vienna, Austria) according to the manufacturer’s protocol.