부산대학교 도서관

Background/Aims: The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in hepatic fibrogenesis and in portal hypertension. To examine the long-term effects of Candesartan cilexetil, an angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker, on portal-systemic haemodynamics and on liver fibrosis. Methods: Forty-seven compensated Child A and Child B (⩽8) cirrhotic patients were randomly assigned to receive Candesartan cilexetil, 8mg/d (N.24) and no treatment (N.23) for 1 year. Portal-systemic haemodynamic parameters, serological levels of procollagen (PIIINP), hyaluronic acid (HA) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) were assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Results: No patients discontinued or decreased the drug. The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) decreased significantly in treated patients (−8.4%±2.4) with a reduction >20% in 25% of cases vs+5.6%±2.9 in the untreated group. HA plasma levels decreased significantly in Candesartan treated patients in whom HVPG diminished and rose in untreated patients in whom HVPG increased. Conclusions: In selected cirrhotic patients, pharmacological inhibition of the AT1 receptor is well tolerated and induced a mild reduction of portal pressure. This haemodynamic effect might be related to liver fibrogenesis activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]