Inventors:
Yanchun Li - Chicago IL, US
Milan Uskokovic - Upper Montclair NJ, US
Assignee:
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO - Chicago IL
International Classification:
A61K 31/593
A61P 9/12
Abstract:
Methods and compositions to suppress renin expression and blood pressure in mammals are disclosed. Vitamin D and its analogues and derivatives, including Gemini compounds, are negative regulators of renin synthesis and blood pressure. Renin expression and plasma angiotensin II production were increased several fold in vitamin D receptor (VDR) null mice, leading to hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and increased water intake. Vitamin D or its analogue-mediated regulation of renin expression and blood pressure is independent of calcium metabolism. Vitamin D analogues or derivatives are novel preventive or therapeutic anti-hypertension agents. Assays to identify novel vitamin D analogues or derivatives as anti-hypertensive agents are disclosed.
