title: Nontraditional aspects of aldosterone physiology.
abstract: Aldosterone is the most important circulating mineralocorticoid. It is secreted by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal gland and plays a major role in sodium and potassium metabolism by binding to epithelial mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) in the renal collecting duct, promoting sodium resorption and potassium excretion. The action of aldosterone on its classic target epithelia has been extensively studied, and many of the signaling events that mediate its effects have been described. Recently, there has been increased interest in aldosterone actions on the cardiovascular system, which are mediated through nonclassical actions. These include local tissue production, nongenomic actions, and effects on nonepithelial targets. In this review article, we focus on the effects of aldosterone in nonepithelial tissues that are mediated through MR, especially cardiovascular effects.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Michigan, and The Veterans Administration Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ngarmukos
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Grekin
mesh_terms: D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D000450:Aldosterone