[Current topic of next generation of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers]

Angiotensin receptor blockers(ARBs) are used as the first-choice anti-hypertensives for prevention of multiple organ damage. Recently, the next-generation ARBs have been expected to have more preventive effect for cardiovascular diseases. For example, metabosartans which have a partial agonistic effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma induce an improvement of metabolism compared with ordinary ARBs. Moreover, LCZ696, ARB with a neprilysin inhibitor which increases natriuretic peptides has a significant reduction in blood pressure compared with ARB. Furthermore, ARBs with nitric oxide donor or endothelin receptor blocker have been reported to have a benefit beyond ordinary ARBs. Dual action in the next multi-functional ARBs may be a strong therapeutic contributor for patients with multiple organ dysfunction.