Diuretics’ influence on blood vessels - have we got new arguments promoting administration of diuretics in arterial hypertension?

Abstract

Action of many antihypertensive drugs (i.e. angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors - ACE-I, calcium antagonists -A-Ca2+) concerning their influence on the wall of blood vessels is relatively well known, but diuretics’ activity as for blood vessels is currently still investigated. The aim of the present study was investigation of direct and indirect mechanisms of diuretics’ influence on the wall of blood vessels, especially regarding treatment of essential arterial hypertension (HA). Different groups of diuretics (loop diuretics, thiazide-like diuretics, aldosterone receptor antagonists and inhibitor of epithelial sodium channel) were analysed as for following mechanisms: 1. Effects mediated by calcium ions, 2. Influence on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), 3. Influence on endothelin-1 concentration, 4. Effect on nitric oxide (NO), 5. Influence on natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP), 6. Diuretics and immune/inflammatory processes associated with endothelium, 7. Effect on coagulation processes, 8. Influence on lipid and glucose profile.
Arterial Hypertension 2007, vol. 11, no 5, pages 428-434.