Aldosterone in renal disease

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has proved effective in retarding the progression of renal disease in the remnant kidney model, as well as other experimental diseases, and most importantly, in a range of progressive human renal diseases. Attention has focused on the role of angiotensin II in propagating progression both by its hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic actions. Recent evidence, predominantly in the remnant kidney model, indicates that the drugs used to block this hormone system, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, also lower aldosterone levels. Aldosterone as well as angiotensin II thus appears to be instrumental in sustaining the hypertension and fibroproliferative destruction of the residual kidney. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 10:105-110. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.