[Do angiotensin converting enzyme and calcium channel blocker intervene in the progression of renal disease besides by lowering systemic hypertension?].

Systemic hypertension is accompanied by various renal diseases. Lowering of blood pressure is widely recognized effective for slowing further decline of renal function. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and calcium channel blocker (CCB) have recently emerged as antihypertensive drugs endowed with renoprotective action directed specifically to the kidney. Improvement of glomerular hypertension which is more remarkably observed in ACEI than in CCB, is thought to be a factor responsible for renoprotection. Although this effect is widely shown in experimental models, consensus has not yet been reached as to whether this effect as well as the therapeutic efficacy are really exerted in various clinical settings other than diabetic nephropathy.