By Free Republic | Created at 2024-11-24 15:30:59 | Updated at 2024-11-24 17:52:31
2 hours ago
Researchers uncover how blood pressure drugs harm kidneys (ACE-Inhibitors)
Medical Xpress / University of Virginia / Circulation Research ^ | Nov. 19, 2024 | Mike Mather / Manako Yamaguchi et al
Posted on 11/24/2024 7:30:39 AM PST by ConservativeMind
Commonly prescribed drugs used to treat high blood pressure have been shown to, over time, wreck the kidneys' ability to filter and purify blood, but exactly how that dangerous side effect unfolded has been a riddle. Researchers say they've solved the mystery.
Researchers found that the drugs essentially rewire the kidneys to do something other than the important work of filtering blood. The kidneys start producing more of a hormone called renin; nerve endings grow excessively; cells lining the kidneys' tiny blood vessels get too large; scars form and spread; and inflammation sets in, which "can take a terrible toll on the kidney," according to a news release.
The result is a "silent but serious" vascular disease where the kidneys become zombie-like, changing into something unwanted and unwelcome while abandoning their critical duties.
Now that they know the cause, researchers say the next step is to figure out how to use the effective blood pressure drugs known as renin-angiotensin system inhibitors—often called RAS inhibitors—while stopping the kidney-damaging effects.
RAS inhibitors, which include the generics enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril and others, are commonly prescribed when a patient is first diagnosed with high blood pressure, a condition that affects 120 million people in the U.S., or nearly half of the adult population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure can cause heart attacks, strokes and other vascular diseases.
The drugs work by relaxing blood vessels and allowing blood to flow more freely. The medicines are widely used and generally considered safe, researchers say, but are not without risk. Doctors have long warned patients that certain blood pressure medications could cause kidney damage, often first noticed as a reduction in the frequency of urination, swelling in the legs or feet, or seizures.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
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This research specifically covered ACE-Inhibitors, but could be a problem with other renin or ARB medicines, it appears.
The title of this research paper is ominous sounding: “Transformation of the Kidney into a Pathological Neuro-Immune-Endocrine Organ.”
To be fair, the high blood pressure hurts all organs in your body, so reducing blood pressure is likely more important, but there are other approaches to do that, including diet and exercise. Soluble fiber, green tea, resveratrol, quercetin, curcumin, among other foods, are able to positively affect blood pressure.
Other drugs have their own issues, but would not likely have this same action on the kidneys.
Additionally, there are supplements that can help reverse arterial plaque, including Vitamin K2-MK4 and K1, from one amazing study.
Growing older can be tough.
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