Evaluation of Losartan on Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Mucopolysaccharidoses IV A and VI

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of lysosomal diseases characterized by deficiency of enzymes responsible for the degradation of glycosaminoglycans. MPS are multisystemic diseases with significant clinical overlap between their types, with cardiac problems being among the most commonly observed manifestations and are also among the main causes of mortality in these patients. Enzyme replacement therapy and bone marrow transplantation, despite being well established treatments, are not yet capable of reversing or preventing the progression of some of the cardiological manifestations of MPS. On the other hand, these patients may benefit from other conventional drug or surgical treatment, which can be instituted at an appropriate time if there is a better understanding of how these manifestations progress. In particular, the occurrence of aortic root dilation, although described in animal models, has only recently been evaluated in the studies on mucopolysaccharidoses. In addition, verifying the effectiveness of losartan in controlling these manifestations in the animal model opens the perspective of clinical use of this drug. Losartan is a low-cost drug and, if its efficacy is demonstrated, may represent an accessible therapy directed at the unmet needs of these patients.