IMPACT OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY ON PROGRESSION OF EXPERIMENTAL RENAL-DISEASE

Hypertension is common in patients with renal disease and, when uncont rolled, accelerates the rate of progression to end stage renal failure . There is considerable evidence that antihypertensive therapy can slo w the rate of decline in kidney function in these patients. However, c ontroversy exists regarding the mechanisms by which antihypertensive a gents prevent kidney damage as well as the relative utility of differe nt classes of drugs. This paper will focus on a series of studies, inc luding several conducted in our laboratory, in which the impact of ant ihypertensive agents on kidney structure and function have been examin ed in experimental models of progressive kidney failure. Taken togethe r, these studies suggest that most drugs that reduce systemic blood pr essure will also lessen kidney damage, albeit to varying degrees and b y different mechanisms.