Influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on experimental portal hypertension in rabbits

ABSTRACT

In this study we evaluated the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [ACEi] [captopril] on the portal venous pressure and angiotensin II plasma level in normal and experimentally induced portal venous hypertension in rabbits [PHT] [by partial ligation of portal vein for 3 weeks]. It was found that captopril administration reduces the portal venous pressure insignificantly from 7.23 +/- 0.47 mmHg in control group to 6.96 +/- 0.32 [P > 0.05] and caused insignificant reduction of angiotensin II plasma level from 6.98 +/- 0.63 pg/ml in control group to 6.75 +/- 0.39 pg/ml [P> 0.05]. However, after partial ligation of portal veins the portal venous pressure rises to 13.53 +/- 0.51 mmHg and decreased significantly by captopril to 8.7 +/- 0.86 mmHg [p < 0.001] also angiotensin II level increased in PHT rabbits to 11.77 +/- 0.65 pg/ml [P < 0.001] and reduced significantly by captopril to 7.66 +/- 0.67 pg/ml. [P < 0.001]. We conclude that ACE inhibitors may be of great value in treatment of patients with portal hypertension and esophageal varices