tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post112922447380544063..comments2024-01-25T17:58:34.297-05:00Comments on Scott's Web Log: Kidney disease outlook improving in diabeticsScott Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286529314567223617noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-1147561552205237162006-05-13T19:05:00.000-04:002006-05-13T19:05:00.000-04:00Linda, the original article is gone from Reuters' ...Linda, the original article is gone from Reuters' archives, but the same article can be found elsewhere online, so I have now provided one of the links on my blog.<BR/><BR/>BTW, lisinopril is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor, not a beta blocker. Beta blockers work in a completely different manner from ACE inhibitors. Beta blockers "block" the effects of epinephrine on the body's beta receptors. This slows the nerve impulses that travel through the heart. As a result, the heart does not have to work as hard because it needs less blood and oxygen. By comparison, ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure by reducing an enzyme in the body that is necessary to produce a substance that causes blood vessels to tighten. As a result, they relax blood vessels, which reduces blood pressure. It is believed that this functions primarily in the kidneys, although the exact manner they work is still not known. ACE inhibitors have been proven to preserve the kidney function, or at least reduce the damage caused by gyrating blood glucose levels (which is what really causes microvascular damage, not elevated glucose per se). All ACE inhibitors work the same way, and there are a number of different ones, including lisinopril, captopril, ramipril, and trandolapril just to name a few. Most of the studies were done using ramipril (known by the brand name of Altace which will be sold as a generic in the near future since the patent on the original drug has expired).Scott Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03286529314567223617noreply@blogger.com