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Current Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8673
ISSN (Online): 1875-533X

Review Article

The Renal Outer Medullary Potassium Channel (ROMK): An Intriguing Pharmacological Target for an Innovative Class of Diuretic Drugs

Author(s): Vincenzo Calderone*, Alma Martelli, Eugenia Piragine, Valentina Citi, Lara Testai and Maria C. Breschi

Volume 25, Issue 23, 2018

Page: [2627 - 2636] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666171012120937

Price: $65

Abstract

In the last four decades, the several classes of diuretics, currently available for clinical use, have been the first line option for the therapy of widespread cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases. Diuretic drugs generally exhibit an overall favourable risk/benefit balance. However, they are not devoid of side effects. In particular, all the classes of diuretics cause alteration of potassium homeostasis.

In recent years, understanding of the physiological role of the renal outer medullary potassium (ROMK) channels, has shown an intriguing pharmacological target for developing an innovative class of diuretic agents: the ROMK inhibitors. This novel class is expected to promote diuretic activity comparable to (or even higher than) that provided by the most effective drugs used in clinics (such as furosemide), with limited effects on potassium homeostasis.

In this review, the physio-pharmacological roles of ROMK channels in the renal function are reported, along with the most representative molecules which have been currently developed as ROMK inhibitors.

Keywords: Renal, medullary potassium channel, diuretic drugs, homeostasis, ROMK.


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