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Endothelin Antagonism and Its Role in the Treatment of Hypertension

Current Hypertension Reports volume 15, pages 489–496 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Hypertension contributes greatly to global disease burden and in many patients current treatments do not adequately control blood pressure (BP). Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor that is implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension, including the hypertension that is often associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the metabolic syndrome. ET receptor antagonists, currently licensed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and scleroderma-related digital ulcers, are being investigated for the treatment of hypertension. Clinical trials have addressed the use of ET receptor antagonists as monotherapy in primary hypertension, as an add-on therapy in resistant hypertension and in CKD. This review will evaluate the current evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of ET receptor antagonists in hypertension, as well as highlighting important issues that still need to be addressed.

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Conflict of Interest

Rebecca C. Moorhouse declares that she has no conflict of interest. David J. Webb has served as a consultant to and received grants from Pfizer. David C. Kluth declares that he has no conflict of interest. Neeraj Dhaun has received grants from Pfizer.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Affiliations

  1. Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK

    Rebecca C. Moorhouse, David J. Webb & Neeraj Dhaun

  2. Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK

    David C. Kluth & Neeraj Dhaun

  3. The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, 3rd Floor East, Room C3.29 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK

    Neeraj Dhaun

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  1. Rebecca C. Moorhouse
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  2. David J. Webb
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  3. David C. Kluth
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  4. Neeraj Dhaun
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Correspondence to Neeraj Dhaun.

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Moorhouse, R.C., Webb, D.J., Kluth, D.C. et al. Endothelin Antagonism and Its Role in the Treatment of Hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep 15, 489–496 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-013-0380-1

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Keywords

  • Endothelin-1
  • ET-1
  • Hypertension
  • Primary hypertension
  • Resistant hypertension
  • Blood pressure
  • BP
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • CKD
  • Metabolic syndrome