title: Direct inhibition of plasmatic renin activity with aliskiren: a promising but under-investigated therapeutic option for non-diabetic glomerulonephritis.
abstract: Non-diabetic glomerulonephritis is a frequent cause of end-stage renal disease. The use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers is a fundamental therapeutic approach. However, converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-is) and angiotensin receptor blockers do not always achieve the desired target of proteinuria. The induction of the prorenin and renin up-regulation is a possible explanation. Aliskiren is the first drug acting as direct inhibitor of plasmatic renin activity, also able to interfere with the prorenin and renin profibrotic escape. We aimed at reviewing the literature for the assessment of potential efficacy and safety of aliskiren in the treatment of non-diabetic glomerulonephritis. The data on this topic are limited; however, we concluded for a possible usefulness of aliskiren. The renal safety profile appears potentially acceptable in non-diabetic patients although extreme carefulness, particularly with respect to long-term renal and cardiovascular tolerability, is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University-Hospital "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy. adelina_simeoni@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Mariadelina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simeoni
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University-Hospital "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Ramona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nicotera
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University-Hospital "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colao
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University-Hospital "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Lucia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Citraro
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University-Hospital "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pelagi
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University-Hospital "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerantonio
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University-Hospital "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University-Hospital "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppolino
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, University-Hospital "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fuiano
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D005650:Fumarates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D005650:Fumarates; D012083:Renin; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors; C446481:aliskiren
keywords: Aliskiren; Chronic kidney disease; Glomerulonephritis; Intrarenal RAAS; Non-diabetic