Losartan prevents progression of Marfan syndrome in mice

Treatment with losartan (Cozaar), a blood pressure medication, can prevent the progression of Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, in mice, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. They set up studies comparing losartan, propranolol (Inderal), and a placebo as treatment for mice with Marfan syndrome. The studies showed that the mice that received losartan showed no progression of aortic aneurysm, a deadly complication of the syndrome, and even showed improved health of the aorta. The research was published in the April 7, 2006, issue of Science.

On the basis of this data, the National Institutes of Health is planning to launch a multicenter clinical trial to assess whether losartan might be used to prevent aortic aneurysm in children with Marfan syndrome. The trial will be coordinated by the Pediatric Heart Network, and recruitment of patients is expected to begin in late 2006.