Chronic mineralocorticoid excess and cardiovascular remodeling

Steroids. 1995 Jan;60(1):125-32. doi: 10.1016/0039-128x(94)00030-g.

Abstract

Chronic mineralocorticoid (MC) excess, whether due to elevated plasma aldosterone (ALDO) or deoxycorticosterone (DOC), is associated with a perivascular fibrosis of systemic and coronary arterioles. This remodeling of resistance vessels contributes to the appearance of hypertension. Chronic MC excess is also accompanied by cardiac myocyte necrosis, secondary to myocardial potassium depletion, and a subsequent reparative fibrosis that appears in the normotensive, nonhypertrophied right and hypertensive, hypertrophied left ventricles. Fibrosis contributes to the appearance of ventricular arrhythmias and dysfunction. Herein, clinical and experimental evidence linking chronic, inappropriate (relative to dietary sodium) elevations in circulating ALDO and DOC with these reactive and reparative forms of fibrous tissue formation in the heart and other tissues is presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / pathology
  • Adrenal Glands / enzymology*
  • Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital*
  • Adult
  • Aldosterone / blood*
  • Aldosterone / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Desoxycorticosterone / blood*
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis / blood*
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis / enzymology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hyperaldosteronism / drug therapy
  • Mineralocorticoids / blood*
  • Rats
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Mineralocorticoids
  • Desoxycorticosterone
  • Aldosterone
  • Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases