Immunomodulatory properties of antihypertensive drugs and digitalis glycosides

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The role of chronic inflammatory process in the pathogenesis or exacerbation of hypertension has been already acknowledged.

Areas covered

Therefore, one can speculate that hypotensive drugs may exert some of their therapeutic effects due to immunomodulatory properties. So far, this assumption has been tested in different studies, and the resulting knowledge is summarized in the current review article that is dedicated to different groups of antihypertensives, namely calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, as well as other less commonly used medications, such as hydralazine, alfa-2 receptor agonists, diazoxide, doxazosin, aliskiren, and sodium nitroprusside. Articles were found in the Pubmed by entering the name of a specific drug/group of drugs with the words: immunology, cellular response, humoral response, inflammation, interleukin. The 2000–2021 range was used to search for all drugs except propranolol (1980–2021) and calcium blockers (1990–2021).

Expert Opinion

Observed decrease in serum/plasma concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, and CRP along with lower expression of adhesion molecules on immune cells strongly suggest that these drugs possess immunomodulatory properties, which seems to be crucial in the medical practice, especially in the therapy of hypertensive patients with other accompanying inflammatory-based diseases, such as type II diabetes, developed metabolic syndrome, allergies or autoimmunity.

KEYWORDS:

• Immunology
• antihypertensive drugs
• humoral response
• cellular response
• cardiology
• immunomodulatory effect

Article highlights

• Scientists speculate that hypotensive drugs may exert some of their therapeutic effects due to immunomodulatory properties

• In the review, I summarized the knowledge dedicated to different groups of antihypertensives, namely calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, as well as other less commonly used medications, such as hydralazine, agonists of alfa-2 receptor, diazoxide, doxazosin, aliskiren, and sodium nitroprusside.

• Observed decrease in serum/plasma concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, and CRP along with lower expression of adhesion molecules on immune cells strongly suggest that these drugs possess immunomodulatory properties, which seems to be crucial in the medical practice, especially in the therapy of hypertensive patients with other accompanying inflammatory-based diseases, such as type II diabetes, developed metabolic syndrome, allergies or autoimmunity.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The study entitled ”The influence of diuretics and combination drugs (diuretic + ACEI) on the immunological activity of mouse macrophages” was supported by The Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education under the ”Diamond Grant” program [0168 / DIA / 2017/46].