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Receptor Autoradiography Protocol for the Localized Visualization of Angiotensin II Receptors
12:03

Receptor Autoradiography Protocol for the Localized Visualization of Angiotensin II Receptors

Published on: June 7, 2016

Antihypertensive, cardiovascular, and pleiotropic effects of angiotensin-receptor blockers

Cristina Sierra1, Alejandro de la Sierra

  • 1Hypertension Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 170-Villaroel, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.

Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension
|July 28, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) effectively treat hypertension and offer cardiovascular benefits. These agents provide vascular and antiatherosclerotic effects, enhancing protection for at-risk patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • The renin-angiotensin system significantly impacts circulatory homeostasis.
  • Angiotensin II contributes to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension.
  • Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) represent a recent class of antihypertensive medications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the antihypertensive effects of ARBs.
  • To examine the cardiovascular benefits of ARBs.
  • To explore the pleiotropic effects of ARBs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of evidence-based medicine.
  • Inclusion of well-controlled studies with mortality and morbidity endpoints.
  • Analysis of data from patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, renal disease, heart failure, left-ventricular hypertrophy, and coronary heart diseases.

Main Results:

  • ARBs selectively block the angiotensin II type 1 receptor, mitigating harmful angiotensin II effects.
  • Studies demonstrate ARB benefits beyond blood pressure control, including preventing type 2 diabetes.
  • ARBs ameliorate vascular endothelial dysfunction and reduce markers of vascular inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • ARBs are recommended as first-line agents for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Blocking the renin-angiotensin system with ARBs offers unique vascular and antiatherosclerotic advantages.
  • ARBs provide enhanced cardiovascular and renal protection for patients at risk or with existing cardiovascular disease.
Abstract

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