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

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

Volume: 25 Issue: 23

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

Affiliation:

• Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa,Italy

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

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.

Cite this article as:

Calderone Vincenzo *, Martelli Alma , Piragine Eugenia , Citi Valentina , Testai Lara and Breschi C. Maria , The Renal Outer Medullary Potassium Channel (ROMK): An Intriguing Pharmacological Target for an Innovative Class of Diuretic Drugs, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2018; 25 (23) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666171012120937