Urinary C-type natriuretic peptide excretion: a promising biomarker to detect underlying renal injury and remodeling both acutely and chronically.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) refers to a sudden decline in renal function. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that AKI is a risk factor for the future development or accelerated progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), whereas the actual distinction between AKI and CKD remains unknown. CNP is predominantly present in the kidney and possesses multiple renoprotective properties. Urinary CNP excretion tends to be high in AKI, whereas back to the baseline in CKD. The dynamic changes in urinary CNP excretion may help detect underlying renal injury and remodeling both acutely and chronically.