The proposed research will determine the effectiveness of blocking aldosterone for improving the health and function of arteries in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The study also will provide insight into how blocking aldosterone improves artery health by determining the physiological mechanisms (biological reasons) involved. Overall, the proposed research will provide important new scientific evidence upon which physicians can base recommendations to patients with ADPKD to decrease risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Cardiovascular complications are currently the major causes of mortality among patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Therefore, testing valid interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality within this population is of high priority. It is well documented that endothelial dysfunction coupled with abnormalities in markers of oxidative stress and inflammation develops early in ADPKD even before there is a significant decline in kidney function. Aldosterone levels are increased in patients with ADPKD and may contribute to cardiovascular disease by impairing endothelial function, and reducing vascular compliance. Of note, aldosterone antagonists have been shown to improve endothelial dysfunction in a number of studies in other patient populations. However, there has been no clinical interventional studies specifically targeting endothelial dysfunction in ADPKD. Our main goal is to establish the efficacy of an aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone) for treating vascular endothelial dysfunction and large elastic artery stiffness in ADPKD patients with preserve kidney function. A key secondary goal is to determine the integrative physiological (i.e., whole limb/artery to molecular) mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of spironolactone.

Working Hypotheses:

1. Six months of an aldosterone antagonist will increase endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) and reduce large elastic artery stiffness in ADPKD patients with preserve kidney function.
2. The improvements in EDD after aldosterone antagonist will be associated with reduced circulating and endothelial cell markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.
3. The improvements in large elastic artery stiffness after aldosterone antagonist will be associated with reduced circulating and endothelial cell markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and changes in markers of structural protein turnover.

Impact on the Field: The expected results will provide the first insight into the:

• Efficacy of an aldosterone antagonist for the primary treatment of vascular dysfunction in ADPKD patients with preserve kidney function.
• Cellular and molecular physiological mechanisms by which these treatment benefits are conferred.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 20-55 years;
• Adults with ADPKD diagnosis based on Ravine criteria aged ≥ 30 years
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73m2
• Hypertension defined as a systolic BP > 130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP > 80 mmHg based on 3 separate measurements within the past year and currently on a minimum dose of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (minimum dose 10 mg P.O qd) or angiotensin receptor blocker (i.e., Losartan 25 mg P.O qd)
• If using antioxidants and/or omega-3 fatty acids, must discontinue 4 weeks prior to participation
• Free from alcohol dependence or abuse
• Mini-mental state examination score ≥ 24; ability to provide informed consent
• BMI < 40 kg/m2 (FMD measurements can be inaccurate in severely obese patients)
• Not taking medications that interact with agents administered during experimental sessions (e.g., sildenafil interacts with nitroglycerin)

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Average serum potassium >5.5 millequivalents or any single serum potassium > 6.0 millequivalents within the previous 6 months

  • Receiving an aldosterone antagonist within the previous 6 months
  • Use of a potassium sparing diuretic or any other drug that could contribute to hyperkalemia
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Current smokers or history of smoking in the past 12 months
  • History of liver disease
  • History of heart failure (EF < 35%)
  • History of hospitalizations within the last 3 months
  • Active infection or antibiotic therapy
  • Warfarin use
  • Immunosuppressive therapy within the last year
  • Pregnancy

6 months

A potential limitation to the study is a relatively small sample size; however, we were appropriately powered to detect an improvement in the primary endpoint given expected vascular endothelial function at the time the trial was designed.