New physiological targets within the kidney for antihypertensive therapy

Abstract

Traditional targets for antihypertensive therapy include vascular smooth muscle and endothelium, the renin/angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems, and the renal tubules. The progressive improvement in efficacy and tolerability of antihypertensive pharmacotherapy has depended largely on development of agents that target multiple control mechanisms. For example, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (and angiotensin receptor antagonists) act at all of these physiological targets. Recent basic research has identified new potential targets for antihypertensive therapy, particularly within the kidney, which should be considered both in terms of their responses to available antihypertensiv..