Nongenomic actions of mineralocorticoids

In addition to the well studied delayed effects of mineralocorticoids on gene expression, there are also rapid actions that occur with short latency and without participation of the genome. The responses occur in sometimes unexpected target tissues, and exhibit pharmacological profiles that may significantly differ from the classic genomic responses. Cellular studies revealed numerous rapid effects of aldosterone on ion fluxes and signalling cascades, while several clinical studies demonstrated an action on the cardiovascular system. Taken together with the surprisingly high number of patients suffering from hyperaldosteronism as revealed by advanced clinical testing, such effects may represent a previously unrecognized mechanism in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.