Vasopeptidase inhibitors: an emerging class of cardiovascular drugs

Vasopeptidase inhibitors (VPIs) inhibit both angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and neprilysin (NEP) and can thus reduce the activity of the renin-an giotensin system and potentiate the vasodilatory, natriuretic and antiproli ferative effects of bradykinin and natriuretic peptides, In preclinical stu dies, VPIs display a large profile being effective in all tested models of hypertension and in heart failure, and ongoing clinical studies suggest th at VPIs possess advantages over other therapies.