Genetic characterization of early renal changes in a novel mouse model of diabetic kidney disease.

Genetic factors influence susceptibility to diabetic kidney disease. Here we mapped genes mediating renal hypertrophic changes in response to diabetes. A survey of 15 mouse strains identified variation in diabetic kidney hypertrophy.

Attenuation of diabetes-associated mesenteric vascular hypertrophy with perindopril: morphological and molecular biological studies.

Vascular disease is now the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the diabetic population. Our group explored the vascular changes associated with experimental diabetes and examined whether these changes can be ameliorated by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. The ACE inhibitor perindopril (PE) was administered to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 24 weeks.

Chronic ACE inhibition by quinapril modulates central vasopressinergic system.

Objective: The role of the brain as a target for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure and hypertension is unclear. To test the hypothesis that ACE inhibitors may modulate other central neuropeptide systems such as the central vasopressin system, we studied the effects of chronic treatment with the ACE inhibitor, quinapril, on ACE activity and on central vasopressin content in specific brain areas in rats.

Methods: 22 rats were chronically treated with quinapril (6 mg.

Minimally invasive diagnosis of renal artery stenosis by spiral computed tomography angiography.

We prospectively compared in a blinded fashion spiral computed tomography angiography (CTA) with arteriography in 62 consecutive patients with suspected renal artery stenosis (RAS). For CTA 150 ml of contrast material were injected intravenously. Arteriography was performed by DSA technique with selective catheterization of renal arteries.

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in cardiac pressure-overload hypertrophy in rats.

Left ventricular hypertrophy in response to pressure overload may be modified by neurohumoral activation. To investigate the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system, we studied rats after banding of the ascending aorta that developed severe left ventricular hypertrophy associated with normal plasma renin but elevated cardiac angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels. Rats were treated with vehicle, ACE inhibitor (ramipril), angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (losartan), or vasodilator (hydralazine) during weeks 7 through 12 after aortic banding.