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A mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA or MCRA) [1] or aldosterone antagonist, is a diuretic drug which antagonizes the action of aldosterone at mineralocorticoid receptors. This group of drugs is often used as adjunctive therapy, in combination with other drugs, for the management of chronic heart failure .
Aldosterone stimulates Na + and water reabsorption from the gut, salivary and sweat glands in exchange for K +. Aldosterone stimulates secretion of H + via the H+/ATPase in the intercalated cells of the cortical collecting tubules; Aldosterone upregulates expression of NCC in the distal convoluted tubule chronically and its activity acutely. [18]
The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), (also known as amiloride-sensitive sodium channel) is a membrane-bound ion channel that is selectively permeable to sodium ions (Na +).It is assembled as a heterotrimer composed of three homologous subunits α or δ, β, and γ, [2] These subunits are encoded by four genes: SCNN1A, SCNN1B, SCNN1G, and SCNN1D.
This increased delivery of sodium overrides the enhanced aldosterone sodium reabsorption at the site of mineralocorticoid action. Moreover, volume expansion, secondary to the action of aldosterone, increases levels of plasma natriuretic hormone and therefore its inhibitory effect on sodium reabsorption in the collecting duct.
The mineralocorticoid receptor (or MR, MLR, MCR), also known as the aldosterone receptor or nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 2, (NR3C2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NR3C2 gene that is located on chromosome 4q31.1-31.2. [5] MR is a receptor with equal affinity for mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids.
The name mineralocorticoid derives from early observations that these hormones were involved in the retention of sodium, a mineral.The primary endogenous mineralocorticoid is aldosterone, although a number of other endogenous hormones (including progesterone [1] and deoxycorticosterone) have mineralocorticoid function.
Aldosterone binds to aldosterone receptors (mineralocorticoid receptors) increasing sodium reabsorption in an effort to increase blood pressure and improve fluid status in the body. When excessive sodium reabsorption occurs, there is an increasing loss of K + in the urine and can lead to clinically significant decreases, termed hypokalemia .
The inactivating mutation leads to elevated local concentrations of cortisol in the aldosterone sensitive tissues like the kidney. Cortisol at high concentrations can cross-react and activate the mineralocorticoid receptor due to the non-selectivity of the receptor, leading to aldosterone-like effects in the kidney.