New Hypertension Drug Shows Promise In Renal Patients

LONDON (Agence de Presse Medicale for Reuters Health) - Researchers said on Tuesday they had identified an endothelin receptor blocker that appears to be highly effective at reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients with chronic renal failure.

The University of Edinburgh team said results of a small study showed that the selective endothelin receptor antagonist BQ-123 reduced blood pressure by 13%, increased renal blood flow by 39% and reduced renal vascular resistance by 45%.

The study, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, involved 8 hypertensive renal patients who were already receiving ACE inhibitors and eight matched healthy controls.

Jane Goddard, lecturer in renal medicine, said in a statement: "This research identifies a new and effective way to lower blood pressure in kidney failure patients, a problem which is often resistant to existing drugs. Larger longer-term studies are now needed to show whether additional protective effects on kidney function can be confirmed, in which case this will be a truly groundbreaking advance in the management of this condition."

David Webb, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, told APM the treatment might delay the need for renal dialysis and transplantation.

He said one of the authors was supported by Pfizer but this was a non-binding educational grant and the group was talking to at least one other company interested in developing the drug.

Source: Circulation 2004;109:1186-1193. [ Google search on this article ]

MeSH Headings: Biological Factors : Immunologic and Biological Factors : Endothelins : Chemical Actions and Uses : Chemical Actions : Chemicals and Drugs