Antihypertensive drugs interacting with central imidazoline (I1)-receptors.
Central imidazoline (I(1))-receptors have been recognised as targets of a new class of centrally acting antihypertensives. The stimulation of these I(1)-receptors induces peripheral sympatho-inhibition and a reduction of (elevated) blood pressure. Moxonidine and rilmenidine are the prototypes of this new class of centrally acting antihypertensives. These imidazoline receptor stimulants are effective antihypertensives with a haemodynamic profile which is attractive from a pathophysiological point of view. Since both moxonidine and rilmenidine have a much weaker affinity for central (2)-adrenoceptors than classic centrally acting drugs, for example, clonidine and alpha-methyl-DOPA, the side-effects profile of the I(1)-receptor stimulants is significantly better. The imidazoline (I(1))-receptor stimulants are the subject of the current survey. They appear to offer the possibility of developing centrally acting antihypertensives with the same attractive haemodynamic characteristics as the classic alpha(2)-adrenoceptor stimulants, but with clearly better tolerability. Their potential use in the treatment of congestive heart failure and the metabolic syndrome is subject to clinical investigation.
Department of Pharmacotherapy, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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van Zwieten