Aliskiren: a new inhibitor of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system activity

The importance of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) in cardiovascular and renal diseases has long ago been recognized. However despite the availability of many effective drugs, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, RAAS blockade is incomplete in several patients with consequent uncontrolled high blood pressure and not efficacy cardiovascular and renal protection. Aliskiren is a new renin inhibitor that block the RAAS at its origin. Recent studies suggest that Aliskiren reduces blood pressure, inhibits plasma renin activity and attenuates renal damage in diabetic patients with nephropathy. This review summarized the results of the more important studies performed in hypertensive and diabetic patients in which Aliskiren showed to be a safe and effective antihypertensive agent that can be used in monotherapy or in combination with other drugs to provide additional options to improve blood pressure control.