title: Effect of centrally acting antihypertensive drugs on the renin-angiotensin system and vasopressin.
abstract: Such compounds as clonidine, guanabenz and guanfacine, which stimulate central alpha-adrenoceptors, reduce blood pressure predominantly by reducing sympathetic outflow. Notwithstanding, they also tend to reduce renin secretion, aldosterone, and even vasopressin levels. In some clinical settings, inactivation of the renin-angiotensin system may contribute to their antihypertensive effect. In addition, the absence of sodium retention, which appears to be a special feature of guanabenz, may also have a beneficial effect on blood pressure. In contrast, it is unlikely that a decrease in vasopressin secretion has any major influence on blood pressure.
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006143:Guanabenz / Q000494:pharmacology; D016316:Guanfacine; D006146:Guanidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006146:Guanidines; D010648:Phenylacetates; D014667:Vasopressins; D016316:Guanfacine; D012964:Sodium; D012083:Renin; D006143:Guanabenz; D003000:Clonidine