omapatrilat and Cardiac-Output--Low

Considerable attention has recently focused on the vasopeptidase inhibitors (VPI), a new class of drug that combines angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor activity with inhibition of natriuretic peptide breakdown. In theory, a drug with these properties may be beneficial both in hypertension and in heart failure. Whilst the efficacy of VPIs in hypertension has been consistently demonstrated in pre-clinical and clinical studies, the role of VPIs, if any, in heart failure is less clear, since numerous small studies have produced conflicting results. Furthermore, preliminary results from the recently completed Omapatrilat Versus Enalapril Randomised Trial of Utility in Reducing Events (OVERTURE) study have failed to establish the VPI, omapatrilat, as a first line therapy in the treatment of chronic heart failure. We review the literature on VPIs in heart failure and discuss possible reasons for the reported lack of benefit over ACE inhibitors.

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Cardiac Output, Low; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Natriuretic Agents; Protease Inhibitors; Pyridines; Thiazepines

The morbidity and mortality of cardiac insufficiency remains such that it justifies the pursuit of finding new drugs and new sensitive techniques to slow or abolish its evolution. Bringing the vasopeptidases, such as omapatrilat, up to date results in a rational process aimed at simultaneously modulating certain interactive humoral systems. They represent drugs which simultaneously inhibit neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin converting enzyme with the effect of potentiating the natiuretic peptide system and bradykinin, and blocking the conversion of angiotensin I and angiotensin II. In the IMPRESS study, omapatrilat has been evaluated in patients with cardiac insufficiency versus lisinopril; there was no significant difference on the principal outcome measure which was exercise tolerance, however it was significantly more effective than lisinopril on the outcome measure combining death and hospital admission for deteriorating cardiac insufficiency. A wider study is underway, the OVERTURE study, which is evaluating omapatrilat versus enalapril on hospital admission and all-cause mortality. The Vanlev dossier has not yet been submitted to the regulatory authorities for obtaining its authorisation to be put on the market.

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Bradykinin; Cardiac Output, Low; Humans; Lisinopril; Natriuretic Agents; Peptide Hydrolases; Protease Inhibitors; Pyridines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Thiazepines

We and other investigators have reported that short- and long-term treatment with adrenomedullin has beneficial effects in heart failure. This study examined the effects of long-term treatment with a vasopeptidase inhibitor plus adrenomedullin in a model of heart failure in rats and assessed potential mechanisms of action.. Dahl salt-sensitive rats aged 11 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: an omapatrilat group, an omapatrilat plus adrenomedullin group, and an untreated group. The effects of these treatments were evaluated after 7 weeks of treatment.. Omapatrilat monotherapy significantly improved left ventricular weight (LVW), blood pressure (BP), and central hemodynamics as compared with the untreated group. Omapatrilat decreased the gene expression levels of adrenomedullin and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the left ventricle. In addition, omapatrilat decreased mRNA levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), collagen I, collagen III, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the left ventricle, and omapatrilat decreased perifibrosis score and myocyte area histologically. Omapatrilat plus adrenomedullin further improved LVW, central hemodynamics, and mRNA expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, collagen III, PAI-1, and ICAM-1 without changing BP. Omapatrilat plus adrenomedullin further reduced mRNA levels of ANP and adrenomedullin without altering levels of ANP or adrenomedullin in plasma. Interestingly, omapatrilat slightly decreased mRNA levels of subunits of NADPH oxidase, whereas omapatrilat plus adrenomedullin further decreased these variables.. Our results suggest that combined treatment with adrenomedullin and omapatrilat may be a new strategy for the management of heart failure, acting partly by inhibition of the extracellular matrix gene, adhesion molecule, antifibrinolysis, and oxidative stress production.

Topics: Adrenomedullin; Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Blood Pressure; Cardiac Output, Low; Collagen; Disease Progression; Drug Therapy, Combination; Gene Expression Regulation; Heart Ventricles; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Male; NADPH Oxidases; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Pyridines; Rats; Rats, Inbred Dahl; RNA, Messenger; Thiazepines; Transforming Growth Factor beta