title: Aliskiren, the future of renin-angiotensin system blockade?
abstract: The suppression of the renin-angiotensin system by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers has been proven in many studies to treat hypertension and reduce cardiovascular events; however, reducing angiotensin I receptor stimulation results in the loss of the negative-feedback signal, leading to increased plasma renin activity. Numerous direct renin inhibitors were synthesized, but abandoned owing to low potency, poor bioavailability and short half-life. Aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor of a novel structural class, inhibits the activity of the renin produced and, thus, its capacity to form angiotensin I, as measured by plasma renin activity. Aliskiren has been recently shown to be efficacious in hypertensive patients at once-daily oral dosing with favorable pharmacokinetics and the potential to improve end-organ protection.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 34390 Capa Istanbul, Turkey. yagiz@istanbul.edu.tr
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uresin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehtar Bozkurt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabirli
authors.forename: Z G
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Ozunal
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005650:Fumarates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D005650:Fumarates; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors; C446481:aliskiren