Eplerenone promotes alternative activation in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

BACKGROUND In this study, we have analyzed the response of human monocyte-derived macrophages to mineralocorticoid axis modulators. METHODS Human monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with aldosterone alone, eplerenone alone, and the combination of aldosterone and eplerenone. The analyzed variables were nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production, and the gene and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, arginase I, and mannose receptor. RESULTS We showed that aldosterone promotes a classic inflammatory response in macrophages, whereas its antagonist, eplerenone, attenuates aldosterone-induced activity. CONCLUSION Eplerenone did not quantitatively weaken the response of macrophages to aldosterone but instead qualitatively changed their behavior.