Review article

Drugs Targeting the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

Dragan Ljutić ; Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu
Ivo Jeličić ; Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu

Abstract

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays a key role in the regulation of blood pressure and tissue perfusion and in electrolyte and body fluids homeostasis. Its final product is angiotensin II, which is responsible for the majority of its effects: vasoconstriction of venules and arterioles, secretion of antidiuretic hormone from the hypophysis, secretion of aldosterone from the suprarenal gland, activation of the sympathicus, and stimulation of the thirst centre. These effects finally lead to a rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Nowadays, this system can be blocked by drugs on different levels, namely by ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, direct renin inhibitors, aldosterone receptor blockers, and by blocking β1 receptors on the macula densa. The research of new drugs such as AT2 receptor agonists, angiotensin vaccine and chymase inhibitors is underway.

Keywords

renin; angiotensin; aldosterone; angiotensin receptor

Hrčak ID:

65069

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/65069

Publication date:

11.12.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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