Cardiovascular protective action of Rho-kinase inhibitors

The Rho/Rho-kinase pathway plays an important role in pathophysiology and formation of hypertensive vascular diseases. This pathway contributes to both increased vascular resistance and atherosclerotic changes. The latter includes inflammatory and proliferative changes. In patients with hypertension, inhibition of Rho-kinase has been shown to decrease the increased vascular resistance. Therefore, Rho-kinase will be a new therapeutic target for hypertension and hypertensive vascular diseases. Thus, Rho-kinase inhibitors may have a cardioprotective action.