Consistent with adaptive and protective actions of CNP in humans are our previous findings in healthy volunteers without history of heart disease [64] in whom plasma values of the inactive product of proCNP 1-103 (NTproCNP) and bioactive CNP increased progressively at midlife in both sexes and showed univariate associations with renal function, high blood pressure, and markers of the metabolic syndrome. The gene discussed is CNP; the disease is metabolic syndrome.