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NEP

Meaning

NEP is the clinical abbreviation for Neprilysin, a ubiquitous, membrane-bound metalloendopeptidase enzyme that plays a critical role in the rapid degradation of various endogenous regulatory peptides, including natriuretic peptides, bradykinin, and enkephalins. Its physiological activity is essential for the precise, local control of cardiovascular homeostasis, fluid balance, and pain signaling throughout the body. In the domain of hormonal and cardiovascular health, the pharmacological inhibition of NEP is a therapeutic strategy for managing conditions like heart failure and hypertension, which are frequently co-morbid with age-related endocrine decline.