Use of Inhibitors of the Renin-Angiotensin System

Abstract

It has been found that an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system is useful for the treatment or prevention of a condition associated with hypoxia or impaired metabolic function or efficiency. In particular, it may be used in connection with therapy of stroke or its recurrence, the acute treatment of myocardial infarction, and the treatment or prevention of wasting or cachexia, and is thus useful in treatment of the symptoms and signs of ageing. It may also be used to enhance function in healthy subjects.

1 . A method for the treatment of wasting or cachexia or its recurrence, wherein said method comprises administering to a person or animal in need of such treatment an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system wherein the inhibitor is an AT 1  receptor antagonist and is selected from the group consisting of losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, candesartan, eprosartan, tasosartan and telmisartan. 
   
   
       2 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the AT 1  receptor antagonist is selected from the group consisting of losartan, valsartan and irbesartan. 
   
   
       3 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the wasting is generalized wasting. 
   
   
       4 . The method, according to  claim 3 , wherein the generalized wasting is associated with aging, cardiac, renal, hepatic or malignant disease or a chronic or acute inflammatory process. 
   
   
       5 . The method, according to  claim 4 , wherein the generalized wasting is associated with an inflammatory process selected from the group consisting of sepsis, septic shock or an autoimmune or connective tissue disorder. 
   
   
       6 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the wasting is localized wasting. 
   
   
       7 . The method, according to  claim 6 , wherein the localized wasting is associated with musculoskeletal or neurological injury.