Title: At1 Angiotensin Receptor Blockade and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibition: Effects on Vascular Remodeling and Endothelial Dysfunction in Shr
Abstract: SummarySmall arteries of different vascular beds exhibit structural and functional remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared to those of Wistar-Kyoto control rats (WKY). These differences may be reduced by treatment with angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). It is unclear whether this beneficial effect is the result of inhibition of the generation of angiotensin (Ang) II by ACEI or the result of increased bradykinin accumulation or other mechanisms. To evaluate the role of Ang II, SHR were treated for twelve weeks with the AT1 angiotensin receptor antagonist losartan or with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril once blood pressure had been elevated for some time, at ten weeks of age. Losartan induced a dose-dependent blood pressure reduction, which was associated with a blunting of cardiac and aortic hypertrophy, similar to that elicited by enalapril. Small arteries from the coronary, renal, mesenteric, and femoral circulations exhibited a dose-dependent blunting of remodeling under losartan treatment, accompanied by abolition of the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation, as was also found in rats treated with enalapril. Treatment with AT1 selective Ang II receptor antagonists is able to induce regression of cardiovascular hypertrophy and endothelial dysfunction in genetic hypertension in the rat similar to that induced by ACEI. This suggests that part of the mechanism whereby ACEI exert their beneficial effects is via inhibition of Ang II generation.
Publication Year: 1998
Publication Date: 1998-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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