Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition reduces lipid deposits in myocardium and improves left ventricular function of obese zucker rats.

Objective: Alterations in the renin angiotensin system, cardiac lipotoxicity, and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction have been reported in obese rats. The present study examined whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition could ameliorate lipid deposition and ventricular function in the myocardium of obese Zucker rats (OZRs).

Research Methods And Procedures: For 6 months, rats were treated as follows: Group (G) 1, OZR, no treatment; G2, OZR + ramipril (R); G3, OZR + amlodipine (AML); and G4, lean Zucker rats.

ACE inhibitor and angiotensin type I receptor antagonist in combination reduce renal damage in obese Zucker rats.

Background: In this study, we evaluated whether a combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, benazepril (B), with an angiotensin type I receptor antagonist (AT1RA), irbesartan (I), is as effective or more than drugs as monotherapy in controlling renal damage in obese Zucker rats (OZR), a model of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: During six months, G1 (OZR receiving no treatment); G2 (OZR with B 10 mg/kg/day); G3 (OZR with I 50mg/kg/day); and G4 (OZR with B 5mg/kg/day + I 25 mg/kg/day). Kidneys were processed for light microscopy (LM) and immunohistochemistry, including antibodies against interstitial alpha-smooth-muscle-actin (alpha-SMA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), transforming growth factor-beta(1)(TGF-beta 1), and collagen (COL) I, III, and IV.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and angiogenesis in myocardium of obese Zucker rats.

Background: Obesity, hypertension, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) are associated with microvascular rarefaction in the myocardium and this contributes to increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. At present, controversial data exist in medical literature regarding the specific role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors concerning angiogenesis in different tissues. The present study was designed to determine the possible beneficial effects of an ACE inhibitor perindopril on myocardial angiogenesis in an animal model of obesity, hypertension, and NIDDM, such as the obese Zucker rat (OZR) and control lean Zucker rats (LZR).

Cardiovascular protective role of a low-dose antihypertensive combination in obese Zucker rats.

Objective: Obesity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and hypertension are leading causes associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In modern times, the combined first line antihypertensive therapy with at least two drugs with a different mechanism of action to achieve a better blood pressure control, is increasing in acceptance worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine possible beneficial effects of the low-dose combination (LDC) of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, perindopril (PER), and the diuretic indapamide (IND), regarding myocardial and vessels protection in an animal model of hypertension, obesity and NIDDM, such as the obese Zucker rat (OZR), and control lean Zucker rats (LZR).