Non-genomic actions of aldosterone: role in hypertension.

There is universal acceptance of the existence of rapid, non-genomic effects of aldosterone, although their physiological relevance and potential importance in hypertension are not yet clear. What has emerged over the year under review is that at least some of such rapid non-genomic effects of aldosterone may be mediated by the activation of the classical intracellular mineralocorticoid receptor, rather than a putative membrane receptor. The post-receptor mechanisms of rapid aldosterone action appear variously to involve protein kinase C, calcium, cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate and inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate, with downstream effects on a variety of ion pumps and channels.