Conn's Syndrome
Conn's syndrome, also known as primary hyperaldosteronism, is a rare condition characterized by the excessive production of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal glands. Our company stands out as a leader in the realm of rare diseases like Conn's syndrome, offering comprehensive one-stop support to researchers and scientists dedicated to understanding and treating these complex conditions.
Overview of Conn's Syndrome
The incidence of Conn's syndrome is relatively low, affecting approximately 1-9 individuals per 100,000, with the majority of cases being sporadic, and around 6% of individuals have a familial form of the disease. One striking aspect of Conn's syndrome is the increased risk of cardiovascular disease that individuals face compared to those with essential hypertension. This elevated risk is attributed to the harmful effects of excess aldosterone, which can lead to cardiac and vascular fibrosis and tissue damage independently of blood pressure levels.
Fig.1 Timeline of discoveries the genetic basis of primary aldosteronism. (Zennaro, M. C., et al., 2020)
Pathogenesis of Conn's Syndrome
Conn's syndrome is primarily caused by the presence of a benign tumor known as an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) within one of the adrenal glands. Alternatively, it can also stem from bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, where both adrenal glands exhibit excessive production of aldosterone. This surplus of aldosterone disrupts the balance of sodium and potassium in the body, resulting in hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypokalemia (low potassium levels).
Fig.2 Renin angiotensin aldosterone system. (Lamba R., 2023)Diagnostics Development of Conn's Syndrome
Fig.3 The spectrum of Inappropriate aldosterone secretion. (Lamba R., 2023)- Biochemical Tests
Initial screening involves measuring aldosterone and renin levels in the blood or urine. A high aldosterone level combined with a low renin level suggests primary hyperaldosteronism.
- Confirmatory Tests
A confirmatory diagnosis is usually made through specialized tests like oral sodium loading, saline infusion, captopril challenge test, fludrocortisone suppression, and furosemide upright test.
Therapeutics Development of Conn's Syndrome
| Drug Names | Mechanism of Action | Targets | Research Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eplerenone | Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist | MR | Approved |
| Verapamil | Calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C antagonists | Cav1.2 | Approved |
| Amiloride | Sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit alpha inhibitors | ENaCα | Approved |
| Baxdrostat | Inhibit Aldosterone synthase | ALDOS | Phase III trials |
| Spironolactone / Amiloride | Inhibit ENaCα and MR | ENaCα and MR | Phase II trials |
Our Services
Our company's animal model and therapeutic development platform enable us to offer a holistic suite of services. From facilitating access to cutting-edge research tools and resources to offering expert consultation services, we ensure that researchers have everything they need to advance their work in the field of Conn's syndrome.
Therapeutics Development Platforms
Animal Models of Conn's Syndrome
Animal models play a crucial role in studying diseases like Conn's syndrome and testing potential therapeutic interventions. Our company offers a diverse range of animal models to facilitate research efforts, providing valuable insights into disease pathogenesis and therapeutic development.
By feeding animals a high-salt diet, researchers can induce hypertension and electrolyte imbalances similar to those seen in Conn's syndrome.
Optional Models: High-salt diet model, etc.
The model induces a state similar to hyperaldosteronism in animals by administering exogenous substances that mimic the effects of aldosterone.
Optional Models: Aldosterone-infused model, etc.
Genetic engineering models involve gene modifications that lead to increased aldosterone production or enhanced responsiveness to aldosterone.
Optional Models: Kcnk9-/- model; Cacna1htm1Kcam model, etc.
Why Choose Us
We excel in providing comprehensive one-stop services including pharmacokinetic studies and drug safety evaluations, which are tailored specifically to the unique needs of those studying rare diseases.
To embark on a journey of collaboration and exploration, connecting with our team promises a synergistic blend of expertise and resources, propelling your research toward success.
References
- Lamba, Rajat. "Redefining primary hyperaldosteronism as "The Syndrome of Inappropriate Aldosterone Secretion (SIALDS)": A common but unrecognized cause of hypertension." Journal of clinical hypertension 25.12 (2023): 1045-1052.
- Zennaro, Maria-Christina et al. "Pathogenesis and treatment of primary aldosteronism." Nature reviews. Endocrinology 16.10 (2020): 578-589.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.