A isoforma 3 do trocador Na+ /H+ (NHE3), presente em membrana apical, é a proteína de transporte que medeia a maior parte da reabsorção de NaCl e NaHCO3- em túbulo proximal renal. A fosforilação direta do NHE3 por PKA na serina 552 é um dos mecanismos pelos quais a sua atividade pode ser inibida. A ligação da angiotensina II (Ang II) ao receptor AT1 (AT1R) em túbulo proximal estimula a atividade do NHE3 por diferentes vias de sinalização. Entretanto, não foram ainda bem estabelecidos os efeitos da ativação da via AT1R/Gi, com consequente diminuição nos níveis de cAMP, na regulação do NHE3. A Ang II pode ainda estimular a atividade do NHE3 por promover a sua translocação da base para o corpo das microvilosidades, entretanto, o papel da proteína motora miosina IIA nesta translocação em resposta à Ang II ainda não foi estabelecido. Sendo assim esta tese teve como objetivos: (1) testar a hipótese de que a Ang II diminui os níveis de fosforilação do NHE3 mediados pelo cAMP/PKA na serina 552 aumentando a sua atividade por reduzir os níveis de cAMP e (2) testar a hipótese de que a miosina IIA participa da redistribuição do NHE3 da base para o corpo das microvilosidades em túbulo proximal renal em condições de estímulo da reabsorção de sódio, como ocorre em resposta à Ang II. Visando avaliar os efeitos da ativação da via AT1R/Gi na regulação do NHE3, verificamos, por meio da técnica de recuperação do pH dependente de Na+, que, em condições basais, a Ang II estimulou a atividade do NHE3, mas não alterou a atividade da PKA e nem afetou os níveis de fosforilação do NHE3 na serina 552 em uma linhagem de células de túbulo proximal (OKP). Entretanto, na presença da forskolin (FSK), agente que eleva os níveis intracelulares de cAMP, a Ang II foi capaz de contrapor-se ao efeito inibitório da FSK sobre o NHE3 por promover redução na concentração de cAMP, diminuição da atividade da PKA e, consequentemente, diminuição nos níveis de fosforilação da serina 552. Todos os efeitos da Ang II foram bloqueados quando um pré-tratamento com Losartan, antagonista do receptor AT1, foi feito nas células OKP, destacando a contribuição da via AT1R/proteína Gi no aumento da atividade do NHE3 pela Ang II. Observamos que a inibição da proteína Gi com PTX (toxina pertussis) diminuiu a atividade do NHE3 em células OKP e que a PTX diminuiu a atividade do NHE3 assim como preveniu o efeito estimulatório da Ang II sobre a atividade do NHE3 em túbulo proximal de ratos Wistar. Adicionalmente, com a intenção de avaliar os efeitos da miosina IIA na redistribuição do NHE3, constatamos que a blebistatina, inibidor da miosina IIA, preveniu completamente o aumento de atividade do NHE3 mediado pela Ang II em ratos Wistar e que o uso da blebistatina foi capaz de prevenir o aumento do NHE3 na superfície de células OKP tratadas com Ang II. Em conjunto, nossos resultados sugerem que a Ang II contrapõe-se aos efeitos do cAMP/PKA sobre a fosforilação e a atividade do NHE3 pela ativação da via AT1R/Gi e que a miosina IIA desempenha um papel na mediação da regulação da atividade do NHE3 em túbulo proximal renal de ratos em resposta à Ang II. Sugerem ainda que a desfosforilação do NHE3 na serina 552 pode representar um evento chave na regulação do manuseio de sal tubular proximal pela Ang II na presença de hormônios natriuréticos que promovem o aumento dos níveis de cAMP e da fosforilação do transportador e que a miosina IIA está envolvida na regulação do tráfego do NHE3 em túbulo proximal renal / The Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3), expressed on the apical membrane, is responsible for most NaCl and NaHCO3 - reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule. Direct phosphorylation of NHE3 by PKA at serine 552 is one of the mechanisms by which its activity is inhibited. Binding of angiotensin II (Ang II) to the AT1 receptor (AT1R) in the proximal tubule stimulates NHE3 activity through multiple signaling pathways. However, the effects of AT1R/Gi activation and subsequent decrease in cAMP accumulation on NHE3 regulation are not well established. Ang II can also stimulate NHE3 activity by promoting its translocations from the base to the body of the microvilli, however, the role of the myosin IIA motor protein in this translocation in response to Ang II is not yet established. Therefore, the aims of this thesis are: (1) to test the hypothesis that Ang II decreases the cAMP/PKA-mediated NHE3 phosphorylation levels at serine 552 increasing its activity by reducing cAMP levels and (2) to test the hypothesis that myosin IIA participates in the NHE3 redistribution from the base to the body of the microvilli in the renal proximal tubule under conditions in which sodium reabsorption is stimulated, such as in response to Ang II. In order to evaluate the effects of AT1R/Gi pathway activation on NHE3 regulation, by means the intracellular pH recovery technique, we verified that under basal conditions, Ang II stimulated NHE3 activity but did not affect PKA-mediated NHE3 phosphorylation at serine 552 in opossum kidney (OKP) cells. However, in the presence of the cAMP-elevating agent forskolin (FSK), Ang II counteracted FSK-induced NHE3 inhibition, reduced intracellular cAMP concentrations, lowered PKA activity, and prevented the FSK-mediated increase in NHE3 serine 552 phosphorylation. All effects of Ang II were blocked by pretreating OKP cells with the AT1R antagonist Losartan, highlighting the contribution of the AT1R/Gi pathway in Ang II-mediated NHE3 upregulation under cAMP-elevating conditions. We also verified that Gi protein inhibition by pertussis toxin treatment decreased NHE3 activity both in vitro and in vivo and, more importantly, prevented the stimulatory effect of Ang II on NHE3 activity in Wistar rat proximal tubules. Additionally, we assessed the effects of myosin IIA on NHE3 redistribution, and found that blebbistatin, a myosin IIA inhibitor, completely prevented the increase of Ang II-mediated NHE3 activity in Wistar rats and that blebbistatin was able to prevent the increase of NHE3 on the Ang II-treated OKP cells surface. Collectively, our results suggest that Ang II counteracts the effects of cAMP/PKA on NHE3 phosphorylation and inhibition by activating the AT1R/Gi pathway and that myosin IIA plays a role in mediating the NHE3 activity regulation in the rat renal proximal tubule in response to Ang II. Furthermore, these findings support the notion that NHE3 dephosphorylation at serine 552 may represent a key event in the regulation of renal proximal tubule sodium handling by Ang II in the presence of natriuretic hormones that promote cAMP accumulation and transporter phosphorylation, and that myosin IIA is involved in NHE3 trafficking regulation in the renal proximal tubule

Estudamos se a sobrecarga salina leva ao aumento de neoíntima em vasos submetidos à lesão e avaliamos a participação do sistema renina-angiotensina neste processo. Usamos camundongos C57Bl6 machos tratados por 2 ou 12 semanas com NaCl 1% para beber ou água (grupos cont, sal2 e sal12), submetidos à lesão vascular. O grupo sal12 aumentou a lesão vascular e alterou a relação de fibras colágenas, com exacerbação de deposição colágena na lesão vascular, e a relação entre as angiotensinas II e (1-7) vasculares, com aumento de Ang (1-7) e sem redução de ang II após a lesão. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que a sobrecarga salina aumenta a neoíntima nas artérias com lesão e altera a relação entre angiotensinas II e (1-7) de forma possivelmente propiciar o aumento de relação íntima/média observado. / We studied if salt overload leads to an increase in neointima in injured arteries, and evaluate the involvement of the renin-angiotensin in this process. Were used C57Bl6 male mice treated for 2 or 12 weeks with 1% NaCl to drink or water (cont, sal2 sal12 groups) submitted to vascular injury. The group sal12 increased vascular injury and altered the relationship of collagen fibers, with exacerbation of collagen deposition in the vascular injury, and the relationship between vascular angiotensin II and (1-7), with an increase of Ang (1-7) and no reduction of Ang II after injury. The results indicate that salt overload increases neointima in injured arteries, and modifies the relationship between angiotensin II and (1-7), possibly providing the increase in intima/media ratio observed.

A doença cardiovascular (DCV) é a principal causa de mortalidade nos pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) e a hipertrofia de ventrículo esquerdo (HVE), a alteração mais freqüente. A remodelação cardíaca (RC) patológica ocorre em resposta a agressões como sobrecarga de volume ou de pressão e é influenciada por ativação neurohormonal, fatores locais, inflamação, isquemia, necrose e apoptose celular. Os miócitos são as principais células envolvidas na RC. Avaliamos o papel da hiperfosfatemia e do paratormônio (PTH) em animais urêmicos. Trinta e dois ratos Wistar machos foram submetidos à paratireoidectomia (PTX) e nefrectomia (Nx), com reposição contínua de PTH em concentração fisiológica (PTHf= 0,022 ug/100g/h) ou elevada (PTHe=0,11 ug/100g/h). Os animais sham (N=16) foram operados e recebiam infusão de veículo. Apenas o conteúdo de fósforo nas dietas era diferente, ou seja: pobre=0,2% (pP) ou rica em fósforo=1,2% (rP). Dividimos os animais em 6 grupos: Sham: Sham-pP (G1), Sham-rP (G2); PTX+Nx: PTHf-pP (G3), PTHf-rP (G4), PTHe-pP (G5), PTHe-rP (G6). Semanalmente determinamos o peso e a pressão arterial caudal. Creatinina, fósforo, cálcio PTH e hematócrito foram analisados. Após 8 semanas os animais foram sacrificados. A hipertrofia e fibrose miocárdicas foram analisadas com o sistema digital Leica. O peso do coração corrigido por 100g peso corporal foi maior nos grupos G5 e G6 e apresentou uma correlação positiva com hipertrofia e fibrose miocárdica. A hipertrofia e fibrose foram menores no G3, quando comparado aos grupos Nx. A hipertrofia miocárdica foi maior no G6, evidenciando o papel do P neste processo. A fibrose mocárdica ocorreu principalmente em subendocárdio e foi mais intensa no G6. Analisamos a expressão do fator transformador de crescimento (TGF-beta) e angiotensina II que foram mais intensas nos grupos G5 e G6. As lesões das artérias coronarianas foram avaliadas de forma semi-quantitativa e os animais G5 e G6 mostraram calcificações de camada média. A expressão da alfa-actina se correlacionou negativamente com as lesões coronarianas. Nossos resultados demonstraram a importância do fósforo e PTH na fisiopatologia da DCV, sendo necessário um melhor controle destes elementos para prevenção de mortalidade nos pacientes com DRC. / Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most common alteration. Pathologic cardiac remodeling (CR) occurs in response to injuries such as volume or pressure overload, and it is influenced by neurohormonal activation, local factors, inflammation, ischemia, necrosis and cellular apoptosis. Myocytes are the principal cells involved in CR. We evaluated the role of hyperphosphatemia and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in uremic animals. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were submitted to parathyroidectomy (PTX) and nephrectomy (Nx), with PTH continuous replacement in physiologic concentration (PTHf=0.022ug/100g/h) or elevated (PTHe=0.11ug/100g/h). The sham animals (N=16) were operated and received vehicle infusion. Only the phosphorus content in diets was different, that is: poor = 0.2% (pP) or rich in phosphorus = 1.2% (rP). We divided the animals into 6 groups: Sham: Sham-pP (G1), Sham-rP (G2); PTX+Nx: PTHf-pP (G3), PTHf-rP (G4), PTHe-pP (G5), PTHe-rP (G6). We determined the weight and caudal blood pressure weekly. Creatinine, phosphorus, PTH calcium and hematocrit were analyzed. After 8 weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis were analyzed using Leica digital system. The weight of the heart corrected for 100g body weight was greater in groups G5 and G6 and presented a positive correlation with myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Hypertrophy and fibrosis were lower in G3, when compared to Nx groups. Myocardial hypertrophy was higher in G6, determining the role of P in this process. Myocardial fibrosis occurred mainly in subendocardium and was more intense in G6. We analyzed the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF-alfa) and angiotensin II, which were more intense in groups G5 and G6. Coronary artery lesions were evaluated semiquantitatively and G5 and G6 animals showed middle layer calcifications. Expression of alfa-actin correlated negatively with coronary lesions. Our results demonstrated the importance of phosphorus and PTH in the pathophysiology of CVD; therefore, a better control of these elements is required in order to prevent mortality in patients with CKD.

No description available.

Abstract not available

<p>This study addresses the issue of how to convert peptides into drug-like non- peptides with retained biological activities at peptide receptors. Angiotensin II (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, Ang II) was used as a model peptide. </p><p>Knowledge of the bioactive conformations of endogenous peptides is invaluable for the conversion of peptides into less peptidic analogues. Effectively constrained cyclic analogues, with retained pharmacological activities, may provide valuable information about the bioactive conformations of the peptide in question. </p><p>This thesis describes the development of synthesis for a number of protected, aldehyde-functionalized building blocks for standard solid phase peptide synthesis, and their use for the preparation of cyclic peptide analogues. The effect of variations in the side-chain lengths of the building blocks, on the outcome of the cyclizations was studied. Incorporation of a building block derived from L-aspartic acid afforded bicyclization towards the C-terininal end of the peptide, while for the corresponding L-glutamic acid derived building block, N-terminal directed bicyclization was achieved. A building block derived from L-2-aminoadipic acid was exploited for monocyclization furnishing <i>cis-</i> and <i>trans-</i> vinyl sulfide bridged peptide analogues. </p><p>The described cyclization methods have been applied to the synthesis of a number of conformationally constrained Ang II analogues, for which the pharmacological properties have been evaluated. Two of the Ang II analogues synthesized displayed high affinities and full agonist activities at the AT₁ angiotensin receptor, and have proven to be useful tools in the search for the bioactive conformation of Ang II.</p>

This study addresses the issue of how to convert peptides into drug-like non- peptides with retained biological activities at peptide receptors. Angiotensin II (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, Ang II) was used as a model peptide. Knowledge of the bioactive conformations of endogenous peptides is invaluable for the conversion of peptides into less peptidic analogues. Effectively constrained cyclic analogues, with retained pharmacological activities, may provide valuable information about the bioactive conformations of the peptide in question. This thesis describes the development of synthesis for a number of protected, aldehyde-functionalized building blocks for standard solid phase peptide synthesis, and their use for the preparation of cyclic peptide analogues. The effect of variations in the side-chain lengths of the building blocks, on the outcome of the cyclizations was studied. Incorporation of a building block derived from L-aspartic acid afforded bicyclization towards the C-terininal end of the peptide, while for the corresponding L-glutamic acid derived building block, N-terminal directed bicyclization was achieved. A building block derived from L-2-aminoadipic acid was exploited for monocyclization furnishing cis- and trans- vinyl sulfide bridged peptide analogues. The described cyclization methods have been applied to the synthesis of a number of conformationally constrained Ang II analogues, for which the pharmacological properties have been evaluated. Two of the Ang II analogues synthesized displayed high affinities and full agonist activities at the AT1 angiotensin receptor, and have proven to be useful tools in the search for the bioactive conformation of Ang II.

<p>Tulbaghia violacea Harv. (Alliaceae) is a small bulbous herb which belongs to the family, Alliaceae, most commonly associated with onions and garlic. In South Africa (SA), this&nbsp / herb has been traditionally used in the treatment of various ailments, including fever, colds, asthma, paralysis, hypertension (HTN) and stomach problems. The aim of this study&nbsp / was to evaluate the effect of methanol leaf extracts (MLE) of T. violacea on the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in anaesthetized male spontaneously hypertensive rats / &nbsp / and to find out the mechanism(s) by which it acts. The MLE of T. violacea (5 - 150 mg/kg), angiotensin I (ang I, 3.1 - 100 &mu / g/kg), captopril (10 mg/kg), angiotensin II (ang II, 3.1 - 50&nbsp / g/kg), losartan (30 mg/kg), phenylephrine (0.01 &ndash / 0.16 mg/kg), prazosin (1 mg/kg), dobutamine (0.2 &ndash / 10.0 &mu / g/kg), propranolol (0.1 - 12.8 mg/kg), muscarine (0.16 -10 &mu / g/kg),&nbsp / and atropine (0.02 - 20.48 mg/kg) were administered intravenously into male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) weighing between 300 g and 350 g and aged less than 5&nbsp / months. The MLE of T. violacea and/or the standard drugs were infused alone, simultaneously, or separately into each animal. The BP and HR were measured via a pressure&nbsp / transducer connecting the femoral artery and the Powerlab. The vehicle (0.2 mls of a mixture of dimethylsulfoxide and normal saline), T. violacea (60 mg/kg) and captopril (10&nbsp / mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally into some SHR for 21 days to investigate the chronic effect of these agents on plasma levels of aldosterone. The mean change, the mean&nbsp / of the individual percentage changes and the percentage difference (in mean) observed with each intervention was calculated and statistically analyzed using the Student&rsquo / s t test&nbsp / for significant difference (p &lt / 0.05). The Microsoft Excel software was used for statistical analysis. T. violacea significantly (p &lt / 0.05) reduced the systolic, diastolic, and mean&nbsp / arterial BP / and HR dose-dependently. In a dose-dependent manner, ang I, ang II, phenylephrine significantly (p &lt / 0.05) increased the BP, while propranolol, muscarine and&nbsp / atropine reduced the BP. The increases in BP due to dobutamine were not dose-dependent. In a dose dependent manner, phenylephrine and propranolol reduced the HR, while dobutamine increased the HR. The effect of ang I, ang II, muscarine and atropine on HR were not dose-dependent / with both increases as well as decreases observed with ang&nbsp / I, and II and atropine, while decreases were seen with muscarine. Captopril produced&nbsp / significant (p &lt / 0.05) reduction in BP which were not associated with any change in HR. The co-infusion of ang I with the MLE produced significant (p &lt / 0.05) reduction in BP, which were not associated with significant changes in HR. The co-infusion of ang II with the&nbsp / MLE did not produce any significant changes in BP or HR when compared to the infusion of the standard drug alone. The co-infusion of phenylephrine with the MLE did not&nbsp / produce any significant change in BP or HR when compared to the values obtained with the infusion of the standard drug alone, in both the absence and presence of prazosin.&nbsp / The co-infusion of dobutamine with T. violacea produced siginificant (p &lt / 0.05) increases in DBP which were associated with significant (p &lt / 0.05) reductions in HR, when&nbsp / compared to the values obtained with the infusion of the standard drug alone. Theco-infusion of atropine with the MLE did not produce any significant change in BP or HR when&nbsp / compared to the values obtained with the infusion of atropine alone. However, the infusion of T. violacea, 20 minutes after pre-treating animals with atropine (5.12 mg/kg) lead to&nbsp / dose dependent significant (p &lt / 0.05) increases in BP, which were associated with dose-dependent increases in HR. The chronic treatment of animals with T. violacea or&nbsp / captropril produced (a) signicant (p &lt / 0.05) reductions in the plasma levels of aldosterone when compared to the values obtained in the vehicle-treated group, (b) produced&nbsp / signifiant (p &lt / 0.05) reduction in BP in the captopril treated group when compared to the vehicle-treated, (c) did not produce any signficant change in BP in the T. violacea-treated&nbsp / group when compared to the vehicle-treated group and (d) did not produce any signifiant change in HR or body weight in any of the groups. The result obtained in this study&nbsp / suggests that T. violacea reduced BP and HR in the SHR. Secondly, the BP and HR reducing effect of the MLE may involve a) the inhibition of the ACE, b) the inhibition of the &beta / 1&nbsp / adrenoceptors, c) the stimulation of the muscarinic receptors and d) the reduction of the levels of aldosternone in plasma. The results also&nbsp / suggest that the MLE may not act&nbsp / through the angiotensin II receptors or the &alpha / 1 adrenergic receptors.&nbsp / </p>

Η υπέρταση αποτελεί έναν από τους πλέον σημαντικότερους παράγοντες στην αύξηση των καρδιαγγειακών επεισοδίων τα οποία ευθύνονται περίπου για το ήμισυ των θανάτων στους ενηλίκους. To σύστημα ρενίνης-αγγειοτενσίνης (RAS), διαδραματίζει καθοριστικό ρόλο στη ρύθμιση της συστολικής και της διαστολικής πίεσης και για αυτό το λόγο η αναστολή του έχει αποτελέσει φαρμακολογικό στόχο για τη θεραπεία της υπέρτασης. Οι μη πεπτιδικοί ΑΤ1 ανταγωνιστές της Αγγειοτενσίνης ΙΙ αντιπροσωπεύουν τη νεότερη γενιά αντιϋπερτασικών φαρμάκων. Επιδρούν στο τελικό στάδιο του RAS, αποτελώντας μία αποτελεσματική θεραπευτική προσέγγιση της υπέρτασης. Με βάση το Losartan, τον πρώτο μη πεπτιδικό ΑΤ1 ανταγωνιστή της Αγγειοτενσίνης ΙΙ που κυκλοφόρησε στην αγορά το 1995, σχεδιάστηκαν δραστικότεροι και εκλεκτικότεροι ανταγωνιστές με παρατεταμένη βιολογική δράση. Στόχος της παρούσας ερευνητικής εργασίας και έχοντας ως βάση τα χαρακτηριστικά του Losartan, ήταν η σύνθεση μονοαλκυλιωμένων παραγώγων με βάση είτε το 2-βουτυλοϊμιδαζόλιο (ανάλογο 1),, είτε το 4-βουτυλοϊμιδαζόλιο (ανάλογο 2). Συγκεκριμένα, φέρουν τα ακόλουθα δομικά χαρακτηριστικά:  Ένα ιμιδαζολικό δακτύλιο υποκατεστημένο με την n-βουτυλ-ομάδα είτε στη θέση 2 (1), είτε στη θέση 4 (2) του ιμιδαζολίου, καθώς σύμφωνα με τη βιβλιογραφία η βουτυλ-ομάδα αυτή αλληλεπιδρά με τη λιπόφιλη περιοχή του υποδοχέα και διαθέτει το βέλτιστο μήκος, με απώτερο στόχο την εμφάνισης ή όχι βιολογικής δράσης.  Τη [2´-(2Η-τετραζολ-5-υλ)διφαινυλ-4-υλ]μεθυλ-ομάδα. / Hypertension is one of the most important factors resulting in the increase of cardiovascular episodes, which are responsible for approximately half of all deaths in adults. The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) plays a defining role in the regulation of systolic and diastolic pressure and its inhibition has been a pharmacological goal in the treatment of hypertension. Non peptide AT1 receptor Angiotensin II antagonists represent the latest generation of antihypertensive drugs. They interfere in the final blockade site of RAS thus being an effective therapeutic approach towards treating hypertension. Losartan was the first non peptide AT1 receptor angiotensin II antagonist to become available in the market in 1995. Using Losartan as a base, more potent and selective antagonists with prolonged biological action were designed. The goal of this thesis and using the characteristics of Losartan as basis, was the synthesis of monoalkylated products based on either 2-butylimidazole (analogue 1) or 4-butylimidazole (analogue 2). Το be more specific they had the following structural characteristics:  An imidazole ring substituted with the n-butyl group either at position 2 (1) or at position 4 (2) of imidazole, since according to existing literature this butyl group interacts with the lipofile area of the receptor and has the ideal size for the appearance of biological action.  The [2´-(2Η-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl-group.

Η υπέρταση αποτελεί έναν από τους σημαντικότερους παράγοντες που αυξάνει τα καρδιαγγειακά επεισόδια τα οποία ευθύνονται περίπου για το ήμισυ των θανάτων στους ενηλίκους. To σύστημα ρενίνης-αγγειοτασίνης-αλδοστερόνης (RAAS) διαδραματίζει καθοριστικό ρόλο στη ρύθμιση της συστολικής και της διαστολικής πίεσης και η αναστολή του έχει αποτελέσει φαρμακολογικό στόχο για τη θεραπεία της υπέρτασης. Οι μη πεπτιδικοί ΑΤ1 ανταγωνιστές της Αγγειοτασίνη ΙΙ αντιπροσωπεύουν τη νεότερη γενιά αντιϋπερτασικών φαρμάκων. Επεμβαίνουν στο τελικό στάδιο του RAAS αποτελώντας μία αποτελεσματική θεραπευτική προσέγγιση της υπέρτασης. Με βάση το Losartan, τον πρώτο μη πεπτιδικό ΑΤ1 ανταγωνιστή της Αγγειοτασίνη ΙΙ που κυκλοφόρησε στην αγορά σχεδιάστηκαν δραστικότεροι και εκλεκτικοί ανταγωνιστές με παρατεταμένη βιολογική δράση. Στα πλαίσια της παρούσας ερευνητικής εργασίας έγινε σύνθεση διαλκυλιωμένων αναλόγων που φέρουν ως βάση τον ετεροκυκλικό ιμιδαζολικό δακτύλιο υποκατεστημένο στις θέσεις -4, -5. / Hypertension is one of the most important factors resulting in the increase of cardiovascular episodes, which are responsible for approximately half of all deaths in adults. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) plays a defining role in the regulation of systolic and diastolic pressure and its inhibition has been a pharmacological goal in the treatment of hypertension. Non peptide AT1 receptor Angiotensin II antagonists represent the latest generation of antihypertensive drugs. They interfere in the final blockade site of RAAS thus being an effective therapeutic approach towards treating hypertension. Losartan was the first non peptide AT1 receptor angiotensin II antagonist to become available in the market. Using Losartan as a base, more potent and selective antagonists with prolonged biological action were designed. In the context of this thesis, the synthesis of dialkylated analogues based on the 4, 5 trisubstituted heterocyclic imidazole ring is described.