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Endothelin as a Treatment Target in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Recent Step Forward

Aleksandra Cole1, Kajetan Kiełbowski1, Aleksandra Dach1

  • 1Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.

Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine
|January 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a major health issue despite modern treatments. This review explores endothelin-1 as a novel therapeutic target for CVDs and related conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a primary cause of death and significantly impact quality of life.
  • Existing treatments like SGLT2 and PCSK9 inhibitors are effective but do not fully prevent complications.
  • CVDs are intertwined with metabolic and inflammatory conditions, creating complex pathophysiological networks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the role of endothelin-1 as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases.
  • To discuss the potential of endothelin-1 inhibitors in managing CVDs and associated disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of endothelin-1's role in cardiovascular pathophysiology.
  • Analysis of current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting endothelin-1.
  • Examination of aprocitentan's approval for hypertension and endothelin inhibitors in pulmonary hypertension.

Main Results:

  • Endothelin-1 is implicated in the complex pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.
  • Endothelin inhibition is a validated strategy in pulmonary hypertension and shows promise for other CVDs.
  • Aprocitentan represents a recent advancement in endothelin-1 targeted therapy for hypertension.

Conclusions:

  • Endothelin-1 represents a significant and promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Further research into endothelin-1 inhibitors may lead to novel treatment combinations for CVDs.
  • Targeting endothelin-1 could help mitigate the harmful effects of CVDs and related metabolic disorders.

Keywords:
arterial hypertensioncardiovascular diseasesendothelin-1pulmonary hypertension

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