Nephrol Dial Transplant (2003) 18: 1442-1445
© 2003 European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association
Editorial Comments
Ageing, hypertension and the kidney: new data on an old problem
Hypertension Research Laboratories, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA
Correspondence and offprint requests to: Edward D. Frohlich, MD, Alton Ochsner Distinguished Scientist, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1516 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA. Email: efrohlich@ochsner.org
Keywords: co-morbidity; diabetes mellitus; endothelial system; end-stage renal disease; renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system; spontaneously hypertensive rats
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
Introduction
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) has become an increasingly common health problem, even for the elderly, especially in the developed countries [1–3]. From 1997 to 2000, the incidence rate of ESRD among patients aged 65 to 74 and those 
75 years old has increased to 7.8% and 22.3%, respectively, in the United States [1]. The leading causes of ESRD are diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and hypertension is a very frequent co-morbid condition of diabetes. Both are exceedingly common in the elderly, and they dramatically exacerbate ESRD development [4]. Of particular interest is that experimental studies in recent years have shown similar renal haemodynamic, glomerular dynamic, renal functional and histopathological changes in both diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive renal injuries [5–8]. These pathophysiological alterations are characterized by diminished renal blood flow and increased renal vascular resistance, markedly increased afferent and efferent
Ageing, hypertension and the kidney
L-NAME/SHR model of ESRD in the aged SHR
Differential effects of pharmacological interventions
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonists
Calcium antagonists
Diuretics
Conclusion