Carbonic anhydrases inhibition in the management of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disorders

Abstract

Carbonic anhydrases are a family of zinc-metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. In mammals, there are 16 different α-carbonic anhydrases isoforms that vary in their catalytic activity, subcellular localization, and tissue distribution. The role of this class of enzymes has been known since their discovery, but their involvement in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases remains an area with a wide scope of exploration. Many studies investigated the role that carbonic anhydrases play in the development of heart failure, vascular calcification, myocardial infarction, diabetes and obesity, and how the use of carbonic anhydrases inhibitors may be beneficial in managing these conditions. Clinical trials have been designed to investigate the beneficial role of the carbonic anhydrases inhibitor acetazolamide in combination with loop diuretics in the treatment of patients with acute decompensate heart failure with volume overload. This review discusses the role of carbonic anhydrases in cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases, exploring their catalytic activity, subcellular localization, and tissue distribution and highlights the potential use of carbonic anhydrases inhibitors in managing cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disorders. The involvement of carbonic anhydrases in the development of cardiovascular pathologies is an area for further exploration, with potential implications for targeted treatments.