Renin–Angiotensin System, Hypertension, and Chronic Kidney Disease: Pharmacogenetic Implications

• Published in: Journal of Pharmacological Sciences Vol. 120; no. 2; pp. 77 - 88
• Main Authors: Lima Santos, Paulo Caleb Junior, Krieger, Jose Eduardo, Pereira, Alexandre Costa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Elsevier B.V 2012; The Japanese Pharmacological Society; Elsevier
• Subjects: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; chronic kidney disease; Humans; hypertension; Hypertension - complications; Hypertension - genetics; Hypertension - physiopathology; Kidney Failure, Chronic - complications; Kidney Failure, Chronic - genetics; Kidney Failure, Chronic - physiopathology; Pharmacogenetics; Renin-Angiotensin System - genetics; renin–angiotensin system; chronic kidney disease; hypertension; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; pharmacogenetics; renin–angiotensin system
• ISSN: 1347-8613; 1347-8648
• DOI: 10.1254/jphs.12R03CR

About 80% of CKD (chronic kidney disease) patients are hypertensive, and kidney function and blood pressure are clearly related to both physiologic and pathologic conditions in a “vicious cycle”. In this pathologic scenario, there is a renin–angiotensin system (RAS) hyperactivity associated to progression of renal damage. Current guidelines indicate as the first choice of antihypertensive intervention, the pharmacologic blockade of the RAS. Nonetheless, both response to treatment and renal protection have considerable inter-individual variability. The main aims of this review are to describe the genetic characteristics of RAS components and to identify the possible pharmacogenetic implications for RAS-blocker drugs in the hypertension–CKD scenario. To date, RAS polymorphisms have not been consistently associated to antihypertensive response and studies focusing on CKD are scarce. Nonetheless, pharmacogenetic studies for the RAS-blocker drugs could still be further explored, especially with new generation tools and focusing not only on the antihypertensive response, but also on renal protection as well.