Abstract
Partial ureteral obstruction (PUO) is a major clinical problem in the daily urologic practice that is treatable and often reversible. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is implicated in the pathophysiology of PUO as angiotensin II induces alterations in renal hemodynamics, apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) have been clinically used to recover the unfavorable functional and histological changes after relief of PUO. Aliskiren (a direct renin inhibitor) has been shown to be more beneficial in blocking the function of RAS than ACE inhibitors and ARB. This commentary aims at sharing the findings and analyzing the issues addressed in the recently published article “Functional and Molecular Evaluation of Using Aliskiren during Acute and Chronic Partial Ureteral Obstruction in Rat Solitary Kidney”.
Keywords
Obstructive uropathy, Partial ureteral obstruction, Renin-angiotensin system, Direct renin inhibitor