To investigate the mechanism by which angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition attenuates atherogenesis, we have studied the effects of a nonsulfhydryl ACE inhibitor, enalapril, and an angiotensin receptor antagonist, SC-51316, in cholesterol-fed rabbits. After 3 mo of enalapril treatment (10 mg/kg per d, p.o.) the percent plaque areas in the thoracic aortas of treated animals were significantly reduced (controls: 86.8±3.5%; treated: 31.1±8%, P < 0.001). Aortic cholesterol content was also reduced (controls: 31.4±3.2 mg/g tissue; treated: 7.4±1.8 mg/g, P < 0.001). Enalapril had no significant effect on plasma lipid levels or conscious blood pressure. In a second study, the angiotensin II receptor antagonist SC-51316 was administered at a dose equivalent to enalapril at blocking angiotensin pressor effects in vivo (30 mg/kg per d, p.o.). Evaluation after 3 mo indicated no significant attenuation of aortic atherosclerosis. These results demonstrate that: (a) enalapril attenuates atherogenesis without affecting either blood pressure or plasma lipid levels; (b) antioxidant activity, found with sulfhydryl-containing ACE inhibitors, is not necessary for reducing plaque formation; and (c) the attenuation of atherogenesis by ACE inhibition may not be due to blockade of the renin-angiotensin system. Alternatively, one must consider the multiple effects of ACE inhibition on other hormone systems, such as bradykinin, or the possibility that alternate angiotensin II receptors may be involved in atherosclerosis. (J. Clin.

Acute coadministrations of an inhibitor of endopeptidase 24.11 (thiorphan) and a ligand (SC-46542) selective for the non-guanylate cyclase-llnked atriopeptin binding sites increases urinary sodium excretion to a greater degree in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats than in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. In the present study, we examined the effects of chronic 10-day intravenous infusions of SC-46542 (desIPhe'^Gly'^Ala^Gln" 6 ] atriopeptin-(103-126)) (0.1 mg/kg/hr), thiorphan (1.5 mg/kg/hr), and atriopeptin-(103-126) (100 ng/hr) alone or in combination on direct recording of mean arterial pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats. During an 11-day time-control infusion of isotonic saline vehicle (100 /tl/hr), mean arterial pressure remained stable. Chronic infusion of atriopeptin-(103-126) decreased mean arterial pressure progressively over the first 3 days; then mean arterial pressure progressively rose to control level over the following 3 days and remained at control level for the remainder of the experiment Similarly, coinfusions of atriopeptin-(103-126) and SC-46542 or thiorphan, SC-46542 and thiorphan, or the triple infusion of atriopeptin-(103-126), SC-46542, and thiorphan had only transient effects on mean arterial pressure during 10-day infusions. SC-46542 alone had no effect on mean arterial pressure. Similarly, thiorphan alone had no effect on mean arterial pressure except at doses that blocked the acute pressor response to angiotensin I. Chronic infusions of atriopeptin-(103-126), SC-46542, and thiorphan alone or in combination are not effective long-term treatments for hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. (Hypertension 1990; 16:642-647)

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract