Efecto de la inhibición de la síntesis de angiotensina II en el consumo de alcohol / Effect of angiotensin II synthesis inhibition on alcohol consumption

Background: Central reninangiotensin system modulates alcohol intake and inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme reduces ethanol consumption in rats, and may be potentially useful in the treatment of alcoholism. Aim: To study the effect of captopríl on alcohol intake, both in humans and animals . Material and methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, 15 alcoholics who met DSM-IV criíteria were randomized to receive captopril 100 mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks. In the experimental study, daily consumption of ethanol (10 percent v/v), water and solid food was assessed in 12 male Wistar rats before and after the intraperítoneal administration of captopríl 50 mg/kg/day. Results: In alcoholics, mean weekly standard alcoholic drínk consumption was not different during captopríl treatment or placebo. However, both groups had a signiñcantly lower intake than duríng baseline. Days of abstinence increased and days of drunkeness decreased in the group receiving captopril, when compared with baseline but not with placebo. Craving was significantly reduced by captopríl when compared with placebo. In rats, captopríl reduced not only alcohol consumption but also water and food intake. Conclusions: Captopríl decreases alcohol intake in rats and this effect is not speciñc for ethanol. Captopril did not alter alcohol consumption in alcoholics when compared with placebo but reduced craving.

Producción de prostaciclina en arteria radial de diabéticos: comparación con la vena safena y arteria mamaria interna y su relevancia en el pronóstico de estos bypass coronarios / Prostacyclin production in internal mammary ano radial arteries and saphenous veins of diabetic and non diabetic subjects

Background: Myocardial revascularization surgery has used several vessels as coronary grafts including internal mammary and radial arteries which have a better prognosis than saphenous vein. Their long-term patency has been associated with the reléase of endothelium vasodilator and anti-aggregating producís such as prostacyclin. Diabetes induces endothelial dysfunction and a high number of diabetics require revascularization. Aim: To assess the capacity to synthesize prostacyclin of different vessels from diabetics. Material and methods: Internal mammary and radial arteries and saphenous veins obtained from 10 diabetic and 10 non diabetic patients subjected to coronary artery bypass surgery were studied. The capacity to synthesize prostacyclin was assessed in these vessels measuríng its hydrolysis product, the 6-keto-PGFla by radioimmunoassay. Results: Internal mammary arteries and saphenous veins from diabetics synthesized a lower amount of prostacyclin than those from non-diabetics. The radial artery produced similar amounts of prostacyclin in both groups. This response was associated with an increase of the conversión of the precursor arachidonic acid to prostacyclin. The saturating concentrations of this acid required to achieve the maximal stimulation were higher in the radial artery (20 µM) than in the internal mammary artery and saphenous vein (10 µM), suggesting that the enzymatic activity of the radial artery was not affected by diabetes. Conclusions: The radial artery appears as the best replacement vessel for coronary surgery in diabetics. Its favorable biochemical profile and potential lower long-term occlusion rate may be relevant for a better prognosis of myocardial revascularization in these patients.