Identification of these co-regulators for every ligand that interacts with the MR in the heart (and in other tissues) is of utmost importance therapeutically, since it can not only help elucidate fully the pathophysiological ramifications of the cardiac MR's actions, but also help design and develop novel better MR antagonist drugs for heart disease therapy.
Blockade of MR signaling with MR antagonists (MRAs) has been used clinically to treat kidney and cardiac disease associated with hypertension and other chronic diseases, resulting in suppression of fibrosis in these organs.
The efficacy of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonism in the treatment of certain patients with heart failure has highlighted the pivotal role of aldosterone and MR in heart disease.
Mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists are associated with decreased mortality in patients with heart disease and show promise in patients with kidney injury, but can elevate serum potassium concentration.