Aldosterone as an endogenous cardiovascular toxin and the options for its therapeutic management

Summary

In physiological, as well as pathological situations, aldosterone significantly influences volume, pressure and electrolyte ba­lance. Primary hyperaldosteronism is caused by autonomous over-production, most frequently due to adrenal adenoma. Patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome) have more pronounced left ventricular hypertrophy and higher frequency of cardiovascular events than patients with essential hypertension (EH) with comparable blood pressure values. Consequently, there is an increased interest in the role of aldosterone tissue function in cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present paper is to emphasise the pleiotropic actions of aldosterone on cardiovascular system and the options for their therapeutic management. Apart from the effects of circulating aldosterone on BP and its renal actions on water and electrolyte excretion, extra-renal effects are also been explored; paracrine affects through tissue mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) may impact on endothelial dysfunction, vascular elasticity, inflammatory changes in the myocardium, vessels and kidneys. Initial oxidative stress due to increased aldosterone concentrations may initiate subclinical endothelial changes and subsequent myocardial fibrosis. The effects on all three layers of vascular wall, together with increased blood coagulation and vascular thrombogenicity increases likelihood of microthrombosis and tissue microinfarctions. Slight increase in aldosterone concentrations in cardiac tissue adversely affects myofibrils as well as coronary artery function. Similar to peripheral vessels, it increases collagen content and changes vascular rigidity and the velocity of pulse wave and facilitates development of perivascular fibrosis. Higher salt intake may potentiate these pathophysiological effects of aldosterone, while higher intake of potassium may restrict them. Aldosterone vasculopathy together with perivascular fibrosis occurring at aldosterone concentrations seen with heart failure contributes to manifestation of heart failure. Consequently, aldosterone may rightly be called “cardiovascular toxin”. The adverse effects of aldosterone in patients on long-term ACEI therapy are further facilitated by the aldosterone’s ability to evade inhibitory effects of ACEI and parallel activation of renin-angiotensin system. To manage these situations, receptors of mineralcorticoids or direct renin inhibitor aliskiren are used. The positive effect of MR blockade is based on an increased release of nitric oxide (NO) with further improvement in endothelial functions. Detailed review of pleotropic effects of aldosterone helps to clarify a number of pathophysiological situations in essential hypertension, supports the view of aldosterone as a potential cardiovascular toxin and indicates the use of mineralocorticoid receptor blockers in resis­tant hypertension and patients with cardiovascular or renal organ damage.

Key words:
aldosterone – endogenous cardiovascular toxin – hyperaldosteronism – extra-renal effects of aldosterone – aliskiren

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