The Bachmann Lab also studies the natriuretic peptide hormonal system and its effects on metabolism, including effects on fat and glucose metabolism. Natriuretic peptide hormones are known to protect against obesity and insulin resistance in animal models. Conversely, humans with genetic variants that lead to lower natriuretic peptide levels have higher risk of hypertension, diabetes and adverse cardiac remodeling. Still, the concept of whether a deficiency of natriuretic peptide hormones exist in humans has not been well defined. This led to the use of Vanderbilt’s de-identified electronic medical record, Synthetic Derivative, to determine whether there is evidence for the existence of natriuretic peptide hormone deficiency.

In recent research, members found evidence that natriuretic peptide hormone deficiency can exist in some humans, and that obesity is a strong risk factor for this. This work has important implications, and the lab continues to investigate whether a relative “deficiency” of natriuretic peptide hormones may contribute to obesity and other adverse metabolic consequences.

The Bachmann Lab has received funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and works closely with the veteran community in the Nashville area.