Drugs Acting on "Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)".
- The drugs which alter the functioning of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) comes under this category and are employed in the management of hypertension and various cardiovascular disorders.
Classification:
A) Drugs inhibiting "Renin" release:
- Propranolol.
- Clonidine.
- Methyl DOPA.
B) Drugs that blocks the actions of "Renin":
- Alaskirin.
- Remiskirin.
C) Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors :
- Captopril.
- Enalpril.
- Lisinopril.
- Ramipril.
- Quinapril.
D) Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB):
- Losartan.
- Valsartan.
- Telmisartan.
A) Drugs inhibiting "Renin" release:
- Renin is an enzyme secreted by "juxtaglomerular apparatus." (specialized structure formed by the distal convoluted tubule and the glomerular afferent arteriole.)
-
Renin is responsible for conversion of inactive "Angiotensinogen" to "Angiotensin I".- The drugs under this class release are known to inhibit release of renin from kidneys. e.g.
- Propranolol.
- Clonidine.
- Methyl DOPA.
B) Drugs that blocks the actions of "Renin":
- These drugs blocks the action of renin on Angiotensinogen released by the liver.
- e.g.
- Alaskirin.
- Remiskirin.
C) Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors :
- Angiotensin Converting Enzyme is an endothelial enzyme present in lungs.
- The enzyme is responsible for the conversion of Angiotensin-I to Angiotensin-II.
- Angiotensin-II is a powerful vasoconstrictor and also has a direct action on adrenal gland causing release of the powerful mineralocorticoid Aldosterone.
- The hypotensive action results from, inhibitory action on RAAS and stimulatory action on kinin-kallikrein system.
- e.g.
Uses of ACE inhibitors:
- Hypertension.
- Reverse Ventricular Hypertrophy.
- To decrease preload, afterload or sympathetic activity.
- Congestive Cardiac Failure: Cardio protective effect.
- Myocardial infarction: increases survival rate.
Adverse Effects of ACE inhibitors:
- Persistent dry cough (due to bradykinin release/accumulation).
- Hyperkalemia.
- Neutropenia.
- Severe hypotension.
- Allergic manifestations.
- On prolonged use causes renal inefficiency.
D) Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB):
- Angiotensin II is formed under the effect of two enzymes:
a. Angiotensin converting enzyme
b. Kinase
b. Kinase
- When ACE inhibitors are given, angiotensin II is still formed under the effects of kinase.
- It acts on two types of receptors:
- Angiotensin I receptor (AT-1)
- Angiotensin II receptor ( AT-2)
- When angiotensin I receptors are stimulated, they produce effects similar to angiotensin II.
- When angiotensin II receptors are stimulated, they produce effects that of opposite to angiotensin II (hypotensive activity, beneficial in treatment of hypertension).
- Basically they competitive block AT-1 receptors, thus have effects of angiotensin II through angiotensin II receptors.