Importantly, N-terminal-pro-BNP levels inversely correlated with BMI, triglycerides and insulin resistance whereas they were positively associated with HDL-cholesterol levels.[19] As shown by previous studies discussed above, plasma ANP and BNP concentrations are higher among rs5068 minor allele carriers in general communities of European ancestry.[5, 6] The favorable metabolic phenotype observed in our African American cohort support the hypothesis that rs5068 minor allele might be associated with higher circulating levels of NP in African American individuals as well. This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and Insulin resistance.