The invention concerns the use of agonists and antagonists of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PTBR) in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and other circulatory conditions. The invention specifically concerns the use of PTBR antagonists in the prevention or treatment of decompensated cardiac hypertrophy and, eventually, heart failure. The invention also concerns the use of PTBR agonists in the management of conditions calling for increased blood flow or cardiac output, including injury or functional compromise of the heart, increased demand for physical exercise, or an acquired or inherited predisposition to cardiac contractile disfunction. Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of such conditions and screening methods to identify PTBR agonists and antagonists are also included.
本发明涉及外周型
苯并二氮杂卓受体(PTBR)的激动剂和拮抗剂在诊断和治疗心脏肥大和其他循环系统疾病中的应用。本发明特别涉及 PTBR 拮抗剂在预防或治疗失代偿性心脏肥大以及最终的心力衰竭中的应用。本发明还涉及 PTBR 激动剂在治疗需要增加血流量或心输出量的病症中的应用,包括心脏损伤或功能受损、体育锻炼需求增加或获得性或遗传性心脏收缩功能障碍。此外,还包括用于治疗此类病症的药物组合物以及鉴定 PTBR 激动剂和拮抗剂的筛选方法。