Efficacy of Beta-Blockers and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) is a form of heart failure with a poor prognosis and unclear optimal management. The aim of the study was to systematically review the literature and assess the efficacy and safety of beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the management of chronic heart failure secondary to NIDCM and explore their putative mechanisms of action. Methods: Studies from 1990 to 2023 were reviewed using PubMed and EMBASE, focusing on their effects on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in NIDCM patients, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Beta-blockers showed a significant beneficial effect on LVEF improvement in NIDCM, with an overall effect size of Cohen's d = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.76, 1.84), high heterogeneity (Tau2 = 0.90; Chi2 = 162.05, df = 13, P < 0.00001; I2 = 92%), and a significant overall effect (Z = 4.72, P < 0.00001). ACE inhibitors also showed a beneficial role, but with less heterogeneity (Tau2 = 0.02; Chi2 = 1.09, df = 1, P = 0.30; I2 = 8%) and a nonsignificant overall effect (Z = 1.36, P = 0.17), 95% CI (-0.24, 1.31). Conclusions: The study highlights the efficacy of carvedilol in improving LVEF in NIDCM patients over ACE inhibitors, recommends beta-blockers as first-line therapy, and advocates further research on ACE inhibitors.

ACE inhibitors and their interaction with systems and molecules involved in metabolism.

The main function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is the regulation of blood pressure; therefore, researchers have focused on its study to treat cardiovascular and renal diseases. One of the most widely used treatments derived from the study of RAAS, is the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi). Since it was discovered, the main target of ACEi has been the cardiovascular and renal systems. However, being the RAAS expressed locally in several specialized tissues and cells such as pneumocytes, hepatocytes, spleenocytes, enterocytes, adipocytes, and neurons the effect of inhibitors has expanded, because it is expected that RAAS has a role in the specific function of those cells. Many chronic degenerative diseases compromise the correct function of those organs, and in most of them, the RAAS is overactivated. Therefore, the use of ACEi must exert a benefit on an impaired system. Accordingly, the objective of this review is to present a brief overview of the cardiovascular and renal actions of ACEi and its effects in organs that are not the classic targets of ACEi that carry on glucose and lipid metabolism.

Exercise-induced angiogenesis is attenuated by captopril but maintained under perindopril treatment in hypertensive rats.

Angiogenesis is an important exercise-induced response to improve blood flow and decrease vascular resistance in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), but some antihypertensive drugs attenuate this effect. This study compared the effects of captopril and perindopril on exercise-induced cardiac and skeletal muscle angiogenesis. Forty-eight Wistar rats and 48 SHR underwent 60 days of aerobic training or were kept sedentary. During the last 45 days, rats were treated with captopril, perindopril or water (Control). Blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken and histological samples from the tibialis anterior (TA) and left ventricle (LV) muscles were analyzed for capillary density (CD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein level. Exercise increased vessel density in Wistar rats due to higher VEGFR-2 (+17%) and eNOS (+31%) protein level. Captopril and perindopril attenuated exercise-induced angiogenesis in Wistar rats, but the attenuation was small in the perindopril group, and this response was mediated by higher eNOS levels in the Per group compared to the Cap group. Exercise increased myocardial CD in Wistar rats in all groups and treatment did not attenuate it. Both exercise and pharmacological treatment reduced BP of SHR similarly. Rarefaction was found in TA of SHR compared to Wistar, due to lower levels of VEGF (-26%) and eNOS (-27%) and treatment did not avoid this response. Exercise prevented these reductions in control SHR. While rats treated with perindopril showed angiogenesis in the TA muscle after training, those rats treated with captopril showed attenuated angiogenesis (-18%). This response was also mediated by lower eNOS levels in Cap group compared with Per and control group. Myocardial CD was reduced in all sedentary hypertensive compared with Wistar and training restored the number of vessels compared with sedentary SHR. In conclusion, taken into account only the aspect of vessel growth, since both pharmacological treatments reduced BP in SHR, the result of the present study suggests that perindopril could be a drug of choice over captopril for hypertensive practitioners of aerobic physical exercises, especially considering that it does not attenuate angiogenesis induced by aerobic physical training in skeletal and cardiac muscles.

Angiotensin-converting enzymes as druggable features of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays essential roles in maintaining peripheral cardiovascular homeostasis, with its potential roles in the brain only being recognized more recently. Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) is the main component of the RAS, and it has been implicated in various disorders of the brain. ACE and other RAS components, including the related enzyme ACE2, angiotensin peptides and their respective receptors, can participate in the pathological state, as well as with potential to contribute to neuroprotection and/or to complement existing treatments for psychiatric illness. In this narrative review, we aimed to identify the main studies describing the functions of the RAS and ACEs in the brain and their association with brain disorders. These include neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. We also discuss the possible association of a functional polymorphism of the ACE gene with these brain diseases and the relevance of the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of ACE inhibitors (ACEis) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Based on this, we conclude that there is significant potential value to the inclusion of ACEis and/or ARBs as a novel integrated approach for the treatment of various disorders of the brain, and particularly for psychiatric illness.

Personalized prescription of ACEI/ARBs for hypertensive COVID-19 patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an international effort to develop and repurpose medications and procedures to effectively combat the disease. Several groups have focused on the potential treatment utility of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) for hypertensive COVID-19 patients, with inconclusive evidence thus far. We couple electronic medical record (EMR) and registry data of 3,643 patients from Spain, Italy, Germany, Ecuador, and the US with a machine learning framework to personalize the prescription of ACEIs and ARBs to hypertensive COVID-19 patients. Our approach leverages clinical and demographic information to identify hospitalized individuals whose probability of mortality or morbidity can decrease by prescribing this class of drugs. In particular, the algorithm proposes increasing ACEI/ARBs prescriptions for patients with cardiovascular disease and decreasing prescriptions for those with low oxygen saturation at admission. We show that personalized recommendations can improve patient outcomes by 1.0% compared to the standard of care when applied to external populations. We develop an interactive interface for our algorithm, providing physicians with an actionable tool to easily assess treatment alternatives and inform clinical decisions. This work offers the first personalized recommendation system to accurately evaluate the efficacy and risks of prescribing ACEIs and ARBs to hypertensive COVID-19 patients.

Transforming Non-Selective Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in C- and N-domain Selective Inhibitors by Using Computational Tools.

The two-domain dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (EC 3.4.15.1; ACE) plays an important physiological role in blood pressure regulation via the reninangiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems by converting angiotensin I to the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II, and by cleaving a number of other substrates including the vasodilator bradykinin and the anti-inflammatory peptide N-acetyl-SDKP. Therefore, the design of ACE inhibitors is within the priorities of modern medical sciences for treating hypertension, heart failures, myocardial infarction, and other related diseases. Despite the success of ACE inhibitors for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure, they have some adverse effects, which could be attenuated by selective domain inhibition. Crystal structures of both ACE domains (nACE and cACE) reported over the last decades could facilitate the rational drug design of selective inhibitors. In this review, we refer to the history of the discovery of ACE inhibitors, which has been strongly related to the development of molecular modeling methods. We stated that the design of novel selective ACE inhibitors is a challenge for current researchers which requires a thorough understanding of the structure of both ACE domains and the help of molecular modeling methodologies. Finally, we performed a theoretical design of potential selective derivatives of trandolaprilat, a drug approved to treat critical conditions of hypertension, to illustrate how to use molecular modeling methods such as de novo design, docking, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, and free energy calculations for creating novel potential drugs with specific interactions inside nACE and cACE binding sites.

Epilepsy Seizures in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats After Acoustic Stimulation: Role of Renin-Angiotensin System.

Hypertension is a common comorbidity observed in individuals with epilepsy. Growing evidence suggests that lower blood pressure is associated with reduced frequency and severity of seizures. In this study, we sought to investigate whether the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is a critical regulator of blood pressure, is involved in the pathogenesis of audiogenic epilepsy-related seizures in a hypertensive rat model. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were given RAS inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) antagonist, for 7 days prior to inducing epileptic seizures by acoustic stimulation. After the pretreatment phase, blood pressure (BP) of SHRs normalized as expected, and there was no difference in systolic and diastolic BP between the pretreated SHRs and normotensive rat group (Wistar). Next, treated and untreated SHRs (a high BP control) were individually subjected to acoustic stimuli twice a day for 2 weeks. The severity of tonic-clonic seizures and the severity of temporal lobe epilepsy seizures (product of forebrain recruitment) were evaluated by the mesencephalic severity index (Rossetti et al. scale) and the limbic index (Racine's scale), respectively. Seizures were observed in both untreated (a high BP control) SHRs and in SHRs treated with AT1R antagonist and ACE inhibitor. There was no statistical difference in the mesencephalic severity and limbic index between these groups. Our results demonstrate that SHRs present seizure susceptibility with acoustic stimulation. Moreover, although RAS inhibitors effectively reduce blood pressure in SHR, they do not prevent developing epileptic seizures upon acoustic stimulation in SHR. In conclusion, our study shows that RAS is an unlikely link between hypertension and susceptibility to epileptic seizures induced by acoustic stimulation in SHRs, which is in contrast with the anticonvulsant effect of losartan in other animal models of epilepsy.

Proteome of fraction from Tityus serrulatus venom reveals new enzymes and toxins.

BACKGROUND: Tityus serrulatus venom (Ts venom) is a complex mixture of several compounds with biotechnological and therapeutical potentials, which highlights the importance of the identification and characterization of these components. Although a considerable number of studies have been dedicated to the characterization of this complex cocktail, there is still a limitation of knowledge concerning its venom composition. Most of Ts venom studies aim to isolate and characterize their neurotoxins, which are small, basic proteins and are eluted with high buffer concentrations on cation exchange chromatography. The first and largest fraction from carboxymethyl cellulose-52 (CMC-52) chromatography of Ts venom, named fraction I (Fr I), is a mixture of proteins of high and low molecular masses, which do not interact with the cation exchange resin, being therefore a probable source of components still unknown of this venom. Thus, the present study aimed to perform the proteome study of Fraction I from Ts venom, by high resolution mass spectrometry, and its biochemical characterization, by the determination of several enzymatic activities. METHODS: Fraction I was obtained by a cation exchange chromatography using 50 mg of crude venom. This fraction was subjected to a biochemical characterization, including determination of L-amino acid oxidase, phospholipase, hyaluronidase, proteases activities and inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity. Fraction I was submitted to reduction, alkylation and digestion processes, and the tryptic digested peptides obtained were analyzed in a Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Data analysis was performed by PEAKS 8.5 software against NCBI database. RESULTS: Fraction I exhibits proteolytic activity and it was able to inhibit ACE activity. Its proteome analysis identified 8 different classes of venom components, among them: neurotoxins (48%), metalloproteinases (21%), hypotensive peptides (11%), cysteine-rich venom protein (9%), antimicrobial peptides (AMP), phospholipases and other enzymes (chymotrypsin and lysozymes) (3%) and phosphodiesterases (2%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a proteomic and biochemical characterization strategies leads us to identify new components in the T. serrulatus scorpion venom. The proteome of venom´s fraction can provide valuable direction in the obtainment of components in their native forms in order to perform a preliminary characterization and, consequently, to promote advances in biological discoveries in toxinology.

Proteome of fraction from Tityus serrulatus venom reveals new enzymes and toxins

Background:Tityus serrulatus venom (Ts venom) is a complex mixture of several compounds with biotechnological and therapeutical potentials, which highlights the importance of the identification and characterization of these components. Although a considerable number of studies have been dedicated to the characterization of this complex cocktail, there is still a limitation of knowledge concerning its venom composition. Most of Ts venom studies aim to isolate and characterize their neurotoxins, which are small, basic proteins and are eluted with high buffer concentrations on cation exchange chromatography. The first and largest fraction from carboxymethyl cellulose-52 (CMC-52) chromatography of Ts venom, named fraction I (Fr I), is a mixture of proteins of high and low molecular masses, which do not interact with the cation exchange resin, being therefore a probable source of components still unknown of this venom. Thus, the present study aimed to perform the proteome study of Fraction I from Ts venom, by high resolution mass spectrometry, and its biochemical characterization, by the determination of several enzymatic activities.Methods:Fraction I was obtained by a cation exchange chromatography using 50 mg of crude venom. This fraction was subjected to a biochemical characterization, including determination of L-amino acid oxidase, phospholipase, hyaluronidase, proteases activities and inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity. Fraction I was submitted to reduction, alkylation and digestion processes, and the tryptic digested peptides obtained were analyzed in a Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Data analysis was performed by PEAKS 8.5 software against NCBI database. Results:Fraction I exhibits proteolytic activity and it was able to inhibit ACE activity. Its proteome analysis identified 8 different classes of venom components, among them: neurotoxins (48%), metalloproteinases (21%), hypotensive peptides...(AU)

Proteome of fraction from Tityus serrulatus venom reveals new enzymes and toxins

Tityus serrulatus venom (Ts venom) is a complex mixture of several compounds with biotechnological and therapeutical potentials, which highlights the importance of the identification and characterization of these components. Although a considerable number of studies have been dedicated to the characterization of this complex cocktail, there is still a limitation of knowledge concerning its venom composition. Most of Ts venom studies aim to isolate and characterize their neurotoxins, which are small, basic proteins and are eluted with high buffer concentrations on cation exchange chromatography. The first and largest fraction from carboxymethyl cellulose-52 (CMC-52) chromatography of Ts venom, named fraction I (Fr I), is a mixture of proteins of high and low molecular masses, which do not interact with the cation exchange resin, being therefore a probable source of components still unknown of this venom. Thus, the present study aimed to perform the proteome study of Fraction I from Ts venom, by high resolution mass spectrometry, and its biochemical characterization, by the determination of several enzymatic activities. Methods: Fraction I was obtained by a cation exchange chromatography using 50 mg of crude venom. This fraction was subjected to a biochemical characterization, including determination of L-amino acid oxidase, phospholipase, hyaluronidase, proteases activities and inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity. Fraction I was submitted to reduction, alkylation and digestion processes, and the tryptic digested peptides obtained were analyzed in a Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Data analysis was performed by PEAKS 8.5 software against NCBI database. Results: Fraction I exhibits proteolytic activity and it was able to inhibit ACE activity. Its proteome analysis identified 8 different classes of venom components, among them: neurotoxins (48%), metalloproteinases (21%), hypotensive peptides (11%), cysteine-rich venom protein (9%), antimicrobial peptides (AMP), phospholipases and other enzymes (chymotrypsin and lysozymes) (3%) and phosphodiesterases (2%). Conclusions: The combination of a proteomic and biochemical characterization strategies leads us to identify new components in the T. serrulatus scorpion venom. The proteome of venom´s fraction can provide valuable direction in the obtainment of components in their native forms in order to perform a preliminary characterization and, consequently, to promote advances in biological discoveries in toxinology.(AU)

ACE inhibition in goats under fixed-time artificial insemination protocol increases the pregnancy rate and twin births.

To assess the effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on the efficiency of the fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI), 69 goats were divided randomly into two groups: enalapril (n = 35) and control (n = 34). In the experiment, all animals underwent the protocol of fixed-time artificial insemination for 12 days. Enalapril group received enalapril maleate dissolved in saline (Enalapril, Lab Teuto Ltda) subcutaneously at the following doses: 0.2 mg/kg/day in D0-D2; 0.3 mg/kg/day in D3-D6 and 0.4 mg/kg/day in D7-D11. The control group received the corresponding volume of 0.9% saline solution. We performed a single insemination 36 hr after sponge removal using frozen semen from two adult male goats with recognized fertility. The ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis was 30 days after the artificial insemination (AI). There was significant increase in pregnancy rates and twinning as well as a decrease in foetal loss in animals receiving enalapril (p < .01). The use of ACE inhibitors during the TAI protocol was shown to be a promising alternative to increase the efficiency of such reproductive biotechnology.

LmrBPP9: A synthetic bradykinin-potentiating peptide from Lachesis muta rhombeata venom that inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in vitro and reduces the blood pressure of hypertensive rats.

Bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs) are an important group of toxins present in Lachesis muta rhombeata venom. They act directly at renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, through the inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). This action may contribute to the hypotensive shock observed during the envenoming by this species. Thus, the main goal of this study was the solid-phase synthesis of a BPP found in L. m. rhombeata venom and its in vitro and in vivo characterization in relation to ACE inhibition and hypotensive activity, respectively. The LmrBPP9 peptide was synthesized using an automated solid-phase peptide synthesizer and purified by reversed-phase fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). The in vitro IC50 of the synthetic peptide is 4.25 ±â€¯0.10 µM, showing a great capacity of ACE inhibition. The in vivo studies showed that LmrBPP9 induces blood pressure reduction, both in normotensive and hypertensive rats, being more pronounced in the last ones. These results agree with the in vitro results, showing that the synthetic peptide LmrBPP9 is a potential molecule to the development of a new antihypertensive drug.

Fetopathies associated with exposure to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor from Tropaeolum majus L.

The prevalence of the use of herbal medicines is on the rise across the world, especially amongst pregnant women. A fact that draws attention is that many species commonly used by pregnant women, including the Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae), also present inhibitory activity on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Herein, we have investigated the effects of T. majus extract (HETM) on fetal development, evaluating its relationship with possible ACE inhibitory activity. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated with different HETM doses (3, 30 and 300 mg/kg/day) from gestational days 8-20. Rats were sacrificed on the day 20 of pregnancy and the following parameters were evaluated: clinical symptoms of maternal toxicity; maternal body weight; feed and water intake; maternal liver, kidney, and ovary weights, maternal ACE activity and aldosterone levels, live fetuses mean; dead fetuses percentage, fetus weight, and fetal malformation. All pregnant rats treated with high HETM doses showed significant reduction in plasma ACE activity accompanied by a decrease in serum aldosterone levels. Moreover, significant changes in fetal development were observed, including growth retardation and renal damage after 20 days of gestation. Thus, data presented demonstrate the significant effects of the use of HETM on fetal development during pregnancy.

Readmissions for Heart Failure in Children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of inpatient 30-day readmission for heart failure in children with cardiomyopathy discharged after an admission for heart failure and the impact of discharge pharmacotherapy on readmissions. STUDY DESIGN: The Pediatric Health Information System Database was queried for patients ≤18 years of age with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code for heart failure (428.xx) or cardiomyopathy (425.xx) discharged from 2004 to 2013. Patients were excluded if they had congenital heart disease, expired on the initial admission, or underwent cardiac surgery. Patient admission characteristics were documented and discharge medications were captured. Frequency of 30-day readmission for heart failure was identified, and mixed effects multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors significant for readmission. RESULTS: A total of 2386 patients met study criteria (52.1% male, median age 8.1 years [IQR 1.2-14.6 years]). Vasoactive medications were used in 70.3% of patients on initial admission, the most common of which was milrinone (62.8%). Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers were given at discharge to 67.4% and 35.9%, respectively. Frequency of 30-day readmission for heart failure was 12.9%. Duration of milrinone or beta-blocker use at discharge and institutional heart failure patient volume were associated with a greater odds of 30-day readmission, whereas mechanical ventilation on initial admission was associated with decreased odds of readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with cardiomyopathy and heart failure have a high frequency of heart failure-related 30-day readmission. Outpatient pharmacotherapy at discharge does not appear to influence readmission.

Enhancement of anti-OVA IgG2c production in vivo by enalapril

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have non-hemodynamic, pleiotropic effects on the immune response. The effects of ACE inhibitors on the production of cytokines and T-cell functions are well established. However, little is known on the effects of these medicines on humoral response to foreign antigens. In this study, we investigated the effect of enalapril treatment on ovalbumin (OVA)-specific IgG1 and IgG2c production in mice determined by ELISA. Two groups of 8-week-old C57BL/6 females mice (3–4/group) were subcutaneously immunized with OVA (10 μg/animal) in presence of Alhydrogel (1 mg/mouse) and boosted at day 21. The mice were treated with enalapril (5 mg/kg daily, po) or were left without treatment for one month. The animals were bled from the orbital plexus on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after the first immunization and the sera were stored at –20°C until usage. OVA-specific serum IgG1 and IgG2c were determined by ELISA using serum from each individual animal. The results showed that enalapril significantly increased anti-OVA serum IgG2c in the secondary response without affecting IgG1 synthesis. These data expand our understanding on the properties of enalapril on the immune response, including antibody production.

ABC de la nefropatía diabética: una guía práctica para el médico general / ABC of diabetic nephropathy: a practical guide for the general practitioner

La nefropatía diabética constituye una patología con elevada morbimortalidad y es la principal causa de ingreso a tratamiento de diálisis. Esta revisión tiene por objeto describir en forma concisa y práctica aquellos aspectos más relevantes en la evaluación y tratamiento de la nefropatía diabética, sin dejar de lado los aspectos preventivos cuyo respaldo de evidencia es robusto. Si bien está escrito desde la óptica del nefrólogo no debe perderse de vista una concepción y manejo integral del enfermo.

Diabetic nephropathy is the main cause of end stage renal failure. This review, intended to the general practitioner, aims to describe in a concise form the most relevant issues in the management of diabetic nephropathy. Although written from the stand point of view of the nephrologist, a multidisciplinary approach is warranted.

Efeitos do ramipril, captopril e sinvastatina na injúria da preservação a frio de rins de ratos / Effects of ramipril, captopril, and simvastatin on cold-storage damage in rat kidneys

Introdução: A preservação a frio geralmente é utilizada para minimizar a injúria renal durante a preservação. Testamos se a adição de sinvastatina, captopril, e ramipril à solução de Euro-Collins (EC) ou o pré-tratamento de rins de ratos doadores com ramipril e/ou sinvastatina poderia reduzir a injúria da preservação renal. Métodos: Inicialmente, adicionamos ramipril e sinvastatina à solução de EC, contendo fragmentos de rins de ratos que foram preservados a frio por 24 horas (n=6). O dano tecidual foi avaliado pela liberação de desidrogenase lática (DHL). In vivo, ramipril, por gavagem, e/ou sinvastatina, intraperitonealmente, foram administrados aos ratos doadores 18h antes da nefrectomia.Fragmentos renais foram estocados a frio em EC durante 24h ou 48h. O dano tecidual foi avaliado, utilizando a liberação de DHL, substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), teste do MTT e pelo exame morfológico após 0, 24, e 48h (n=10). Concomitantemente, captopril foi acrescentado à solução de EC e fragmentos adicionais dos rins de ratos controles foram estocados a frio durante 24h e 48h, com dano tecidual avaliado por liberação de DHL e exame histológico. Resultados: A adição de ramipril e sinvastatina à solução de EC não afetou a viabilidade dos fragmentos renais (p>0,05). A adução de captopril na solução de EC também não melhorou a viabilidade durante a preservação a frio, avaliada pela liberação de desidrogenase lática e pelo escore histológico (p>0,05). O pré-tratamento dos doadores renais com ramipril e/ou sinvastatina não alterou significativamente o MTT, MDA, DHL ou escores histológicos. Discussão: Inibidores da ECA e estatinas protegem contra a injúria da isquemia-reperfusão (I/R) após pré-tratamento por alguns dias e reduzem o estresse oxidativo e marcadores inflamatórios e poderiam melhorar a capacidade antioxidante da solução de EC...

Background: Cold storage is generally used to minimize kidney injury during preservation. We tested whether or not addition of simvastatin, captopril, and ramipril in the Euro-Collins solution (EC) or pre-treatment of rat kidney donors with ramipril and/or simvastatin reduced preserved kidney injury.Methods: We first added ramipril and simvastatin to EC with rat kidney fragments that were cold-stored for 24 hours (n=6). Tissue damage was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In vivo, ramipril, by gavage, and/or intraperitoneal simvastatin , were administered to donor rats 18h before nephrectomy. Kidney fragments were cold-stored in EC for 24h or 48h. Tissue damage was assessed by LDH release, TBARS, MTT-assay, and by morphologic assessment at 0, 24, and 48h (n=10). Concomitantly, captopril was added to EC and additional fragments of control rat kidneys were coldstored for 24 and 48h, with damage assessed by LDH release and histology. Results: The addition of ramipril and simvastatin to EC solution did not change the viability of rat kidney fragments (p>0.05). The addition of captopril in the EC solution also did not improve cold-storage viability, as assessed by LDH release levels and histological scores (p>0.05). Pre-treatment of kidney donors with ramipril and/or simvastatin did not significantly change MTT, MDA, LDH levels or histological scores.Discussion: ACEIs and statins protect against organ I/R injury after donor pre-treatment for a few days and reduce oxidant stress and inflammatory markers, and could improve the antioxidant capacity of EC solution. In the tested concentrations, inclusion of captopril, ramipril, and simvastatin in the EC solution did not improve the preservation quality of cold-stored rat kidney fragments...

Açäo benéfica do enalapril sobre a funçäo diastólica ventricular na miocardiopatia da doença de Chagas / Beneficial Effects of Enalapril on the Diastolic Ventricular Function in Chagas' Disease Myocardiopathy

Objetivo - Verificar o efeito do enalapril na funçäo ventricular e na incidência de arritmia ventricular em portadores de doença de Chagas e insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (ICC). Métodos - Foram estudados 20 pacientes com doença de Chagas, com idades variando de 24 a 64 (media 44 anos, sendo 17 do sexo masculino. Todos tinham reaçöes sorológicas positivas para doença de Chagas, diâmetro ventricular diastólico final superior a 55mm e a fraçäo de ejeçäo menor que 0,60. Os pacientes foram divididos aleatoriamente em 2 grupos: grupo controle (GC) com 9 pacientes tratados com terapêutica convencional e grupo enalapril (GE) com 11 pacientes que além da terapêutica convencional receberam enalapril. O tratamento foi mantido por 2 meses e os pacientes foram avaliados no início e ao final sendo submetidos a exame clínico, ecodopplercardiograma, teste de esforço e Holter de 24h. No estudo ecocardiográfico avaliaram-se os diâmetros ventriculares e pela dopplercardiogrfia, a relaçäo E/A, o volume sistólico e o débito cardíaco. Ao teste de esforço e Holter avaliou-se a incidência de arritmia ventricular. Resultados - Quando comparadas as avaliaçöes inicial e final, houve melhora significativa (p = 0,04) da funçäo diastólica (relaçäo E/A) e tendência de melhora da funçäo sistólica (aumento de volume sistólico e débito cardíaco) no grupo enalapril. A incidência de taquicardia vantricular näo sustentada teve tendência em aumentar no GC e näo variou no GE. Conclusäo - Na miocardiopatia chagásica, enalapril melhora signficantemente a disfunçäo diastólica da ICC. Com dois meses de terapêutica observou-se tendência de melhora da funçäo sistólica e menor incidência da arritmia induzida pelo esforço

Purpose - To verify the effect of enalapril on ventricular function and on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with Chagas' disease with congestive heart failare. Methods - We studied 20 patients with Chagas' disease, aged between 24 to 64 (mean 44) years. There were 17 male. All patients have positive serologic blood tests for Chagas' disease (immunofluorecence and Machado-Guerreiro test), leit ventricular diastolic diameter superior to 55mm and ejection fraction less than 0.60. The patients were divided aleatory in two groups: control group (CG) with 9 patients receiving conventional treatment (digital and diuretics) and enalapril group (EG), with 11 patients where enalapril was added to conventional treatment. The treatment was mantained during two months and the patients were evaluated at the beginning and at the end, when they were submitted to clinical examination, echodopplercardiogram, stress test and 24h Holter monitoring. At two dimensional echocardiographic study we evaluate left ventricular and leit atrial diameters, at doppler study the E/A relations, the systalic volume and cardiac index. At the stress test and Holter monitoring we evaluate the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. Results - The comparison between initial and final evalu ations, showed that there was a significant improvement of diastolic function (p=0.04) and a trend to improvement of systolic function (great systolic volume and cardiac index) at EG. The incidence of non sustained ventricular tachycardia was the same in the two groups. Conclusion - In Chagas' disease enalapril improves significantly diastolic dysfunction in patients with heart failure. After two months of treatment we observed tendence to improvement of systolic dysfunction and the incidence of arrhythmias induced by stress test

Fosinopril em dose única diária na hipertensäo leve e moderada: estudo multicêntrico brasileiro / Fosinopril once a day in mild and moderate hypertension. Brazilian Multicenter Trial

Objetivo - Avaliar a eficácia e segurança do fosinpril administrado isoladamente em dose única diária (10mg/dia ou 20mg/dia) durante 12 semanas a pacientes com hipertensäo essencial leve e moderada näo complicada, segundo esquema aberto, comparativo com placebo. Métodos - Cento e dezenove pacientes (idade 52 ñ 11 anos, média ñ dp, limites: 17 a 76 anos), 86 mulheres e 33 homens, 57// brancos, 26// negros e 17// mestiços, 71 hipertensos leves (95 ó pressäo diastólica ó 104mmHg) e 48 hipertensos moderados (104 < pressäo diastólica ó 115mmHg). Resultados - Houve reduçäo significativa (p < 0,05) da pressäo arterial sistólica/diastólica na 6ª semana de tratamento com fosinopril em relaçäo ao início do tratamento (de 161 ñ 16/103 ñ 7 antes do tratamento para 148 ñ 16/94 ñ 9mmHg na 6ª semana de tratamento, n = 114 pacientes). Na 12ª semana de tratamento verificou-se reduçäo adicional significativa da pressäo arterial sistólica/diastólica em relaçäo à avaliaçäo da 6ª semana (de 148 ñ 16/94 na 6ª semana de tratamento para 145 ñ 17/89 ñ 8mmHg na 12ª semana de tratamento, n = 113 pacientes). Houve resposta favorável em 71// dos pacientes estudados na 12ª semana de tratamento, sendo normalizaçäo da pressäo arterial diastólica (ó 90mmHg) em 62// dos pacientes e queda ò 10// em 9// dos pacientes. Näo houve diferenças significantes nos índices de normalizaçäo da pressäo diastólica ao se comparar pacientes brancos aos näo brancos, hipertensos leves e moderados, obesos e näo obesos, acima e abaixo de 50 anos e nos que recebiam de 1 a 3 drogas antes do estudo. Näo foram varificadas variaçöes clinicamente signficativas nas avaliaçöes laboratoriais antes e ao final do tratamento. Houve reduçäo muito importante do número de reaçöes adversas relatadas nas avaliaçöes realizadas na 6ª e 12ª semanas de tratamento com fosinopril em relaçäo ao tratamento anterior. Conclusäo - O fosinopril mostra-se seguro e eficaz no tratamento da hipertensäo arterial tendo sido igualmente eficaz em hipertensos leves e moderados, brancos e näo brancos, obesos e näo obesos, acima e abaixo de 50 anos e nos que recebiam de 0 a 3 drogas antes do estudo

Purpose - To evaluate during 12 weeks the effectiveness and safety of once-a-day fosinopril (10 or 20mg/day comparative to placebo) in mild to moderate hypertensives according to an open design comparative to placebo. Methods - One hyndred and nineteen patients were studied; 52 ± 11 years (mean ± sd) range 18 a 76 years, 86 women and 33 men, 57% whites, 26% blacks and 17% mulattos, 71 mild hypertensives (95 £ diastolic pressure £ 104mmHg) e 48 moderate hypertensives (101 < diastolic pressure £ 115mmHg). Results - There was a significant reduction in systolic/diastolic pressure on the 6th week of treatment (from 161 ± 16/103 ± 7 before to 148 ± 16/94 ± 9mmHg on the 6th week). On the 12th week of treatment there was an additional significant reduction in systolic/diastolic pressure (from 148 ± 16/94 ± 9 on the 6th week to 145 ± 17/89 ± 8mmHg on the 12th week). There was a "favorable" response in 71% of the patients on the 12th week; 62% showed diastolic pressure £ 90mmHg and 9% presented diastolic reduction ³ 10mmHg. There was no difference in the normalization rates between whites and non-whites, mild and moderate hypertensive, obese and non-obese patients, under or above 50 years of age and those patients from no drug-treatment to those on 3 drug before the study. There was no clinically relevant changes in laboratory evaluations before and at the end of the study. The number of adverse reactions was reduced in comparison with previous treatment. Conclusion - Fosinopril, according to our and others data, is effective and safe for the treatment of mild to moderate hypertensives, in whites or non-whites, obese or non-obese, younger or older than 50 years and receiving 0 or 3 drugs before the study