Aliskiren: a renin inhibitor offering a new approach for the treatment of hypertension.
In recent years, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been shown to be crucial not only in blood pressure haemostasis but also in the evolution of atherosclerosis, which ultimately determines morbidity and mortality. The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and, recently, the angiotensin receptor blockers (with their low adverse-effect profile) have added a new dimension to the drug treatment of hypertension. Just a decade after the introduction of angiotensin receptor blockers, physicians treating hypertension are now offered another exciting approach to achieving blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system through the inhibition of renin. This review outlines the background evidence for aliskiren, the first orally active renin inhibitor.
O'Brien
Eoin
E
The Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. eobrien@iol.ie
D000577:Amides; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005650:Fumarates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012083:Renin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors
D000577:Amides; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D005650:Fumarates; D012083:Renin; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors; C446481:aliskiren