title: ENaC modulators and renal disease.
abstract: The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) plays an essential role in transepithelial sodium reabsorption in the renal connecting tubule and collecting duct. Therefore, controlling ENaC activity is an important regulatory event in electrolyte and extracellular volume homeostasis, and thus in the control of blood pressure. Many independent signaling pathways converge on ENaC, although the most important for its physiological role is the enhancement of channel activity by the steroid hormone aldosterone. In this review, we briefly summarize current knowledge about ENaC regulation and the different chemical compounds available to directly or indirectly modify channel function. In addition, current and possible clinical uses of ENaC and aldosterone antagonists are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Universidad de La Laguna and Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain. diego.alvarez@ull.es
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alvarez de la Rosa
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Navarro-González
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Giraldez
mesh_terms: D000450:Aldosterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D062708:Epithelial Sodium Channel Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D062686:Epithelial Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D062708:Epithelial Sodium Channel Agonists; D062686:Epithelial Sodium Channel Blockers; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D000450:Aldosterone; D012964:Sodium