The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on endothelial function and oxidant stress.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors effectively interfere with the renin-angiotensin system and exert various beneficial actions on vascular structure and function beyond their blood pressure-lowering effects. Data from experimental studies showed that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can attenuate the development of atherosclerosis in a wide range of species. The postulated mechanisms of this atheroprotective effect are the antioxidant actions of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and their enhancement of the endothelial elaboration of bioactive nitric oxide.

Prevention of hypertension and renal dysfunction in Dahl rats by alpha-tocopherol.

Although hypertension is a risk factor for the development of end-stage renal disease, not all hypertensive patients progress to develop renal dysfunction. The mechanisms underlying hypertensive nephropathy are poorly understood. The authors have recently shown that the development of hypertension and renal dysfunction is accompanied by an accumulation of partially reduced oxygen and its derivatives, known collectively as reactive oxygen species.