Pharmacology of Aldosterone and the Effects of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blockade on Cardiovascular Systems.
It is well-known that aldosterone plays an important role in reabsorption of sodium and fluid, and in potassium excretion in kidneys via epithelial mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation. Recent studies have shown that aldosterone causes cardiovascular remodeling not only in a blood pressure-dependent manner, but also in a blood pressure-independent manner by decreasing nitric oxide bioavailability and modulating oxidative stress, leading to vascular inflammation. In addition, MR blockade does provide beneficial effects associated with cardiovascular protection, resulting in a reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A growing body of evidence suggests that MR blockade is a promising therapeutic target to help prevent cardiovascular events.


BACKGROUND
Aldosterone; Mineralocorticoid receptor; Nitrix oxide; Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Shusuke
S
Yagi
Department of Medical Education, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Masashi
M
Akaike
Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Sciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Ken-Ichi
K
Aihara
Department of Cardio-Diabetes Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan.
Daiju
D
Fukuda
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Masayoshi
M
Ishida
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Takayuki
T
Ise
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Toshiyuki
T
Niki
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Yuka
Y
Sumitomo-Ueda
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Koji
K
Yamaguchi
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Takashi
T
Iwase
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Yoshio
Y
Taketani
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Hirotsugu
H
Yamada
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Takeshi
T
Soeki
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Tetsuzo
T
Wakatsuki
Department of Cardio-Diabetes Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan.
Michio
M
Shimabukuro
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokushima Graduate School of Health Biosciences, Japan;
Masataka
M
Sata