The effect of angiotensin receptor blockers on C-reactive protein and other circulating inflammatory indices in man

Abstract

Alessandra Del Fiorentino, Silvana Cianchetti, Alessandro Celi, Giulia Dell’Omo, Roberto PedrinelliDipartimento Cardio Toracico e Vascolare, Università di Pisa, ItalyAbstract: Anti-inflammatory properties may contribute to the pharmacological effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), a leading therapeutic class in the management of hypertension and related cardiovascular and renal diseases. That possibility, supported by consistent evidence from in-vitro and animal studies showing pro-inflammatory properties of angiotensin II, has been evaluated clinically by measuring the effect of ARBs on C-reactive protein and other circulating indices of inflammation (e-selectin, adhesion molecules, interleukin-6, tissue necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) of potential clinical relevance, a body of evidence that this paper aims to review.Keywords: renin–angiotensin system, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, vascular inflammation, C-reactive protein, circulating inflammatory markers