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Endogenous cardiotonic steroids and cardiovascular disease, where to next?

Davor Pavlovic1

  • 1Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.

Cell Calcium
|January 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cardiotonic steroids (CTS) treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation by regulating the sodium potassium pump. Research is exploring the role of endogenous CTS in cardiovascular health and disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cardiotonic steroids (CTS) have a long history in treating heart failure since 1785.
  • They target the sodium potassium pump, crucial for intracellular sodium regulation.
  • Endogenous CTS research has surged since the 1980s, revealing potential roles in cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of endogenous cardiotonic steroids.
  • To discuss controversies and unanswered questions regarding their role in health and disease.
  • To highlight their significance in cardiovascular research and potential therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of endogenous cardiotonic steroids.
  • Analysis of existing evidence on their physiological and pathophysiological roles.
  • Discussion of controversies surrounding their presence, biosynthesis, and mechanisms of action.

Main Results:

  • Endogenous CTS, like ouabain and marinobufagenin, are implicated in cardiovascular disease development.
  • Their precise roles, biosynthesis, and mechanisms of action remain subjects of ongoing research and debate.
  • Exogenous CTS modulate cardiovascular function through vagal tone, cardiac contraction, and natriuresis.

Conclusions:

  • Endogenous cardiotonic steroids play a significant, yet incompletely understood, role in cardiovascular health and disease.
  • Further research is crucial to clarify their precise functions, origins, and therapeutic potential.
  • Understanding endogenous CTS is vital for advancing cardiovascular medicine and developing novel treatments.

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationCardiotonic steroidsDigoxinHeart failureMarinobufageninNKAOuabainSodium potassium pump

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