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Aldosterone, endothelium dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases Volume 4, issue 3, Mai-Juin 2008

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Authors
INSERM, U684, Nancy, France, INSERM, U734, Nancy, France, Université Henri-Poincaré, Nancy, France

Although many actions induced by aldosterone treatment have been published there is no precise detail as to the sequence, and possible mechanism, of these events. The presence of mineralocorticoid receptors in smooth muscle cells and in endothelial cells provides strong evidence for a local action of aldosterone in large and small vessels. The aldosterone receptor antagonists eplerenone and spironolactone have been shown to prevent cardiac fibrosis independently of left ventricular hypertrophy and blood pressure reduction. Aldosterone has been shown to increase reactive oxygen species and mineralocorticoid receptor blockade decreases oxidative stress in the vascular system. Related to this, an increase in NO release from the endothelium has been demonstrated with aldosterone treatment. The actual role of NO on arterial function, inflammation and coagulation in the action of anti-aldosterone treatments remains to be determined clearly.