Prevention and Reversal by Enalapril of Target Organ Damage in Angiotensin II Hypertension

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) prevent target organ damage in several models of hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the ACE-I enalapril (10 mg/kg-1 per day, gavage) on the cardiovascular alterations and production of free radicals induced by chronic infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 200 ng/kg-1 per minute, SC) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Enalapril was given concomitantly for the 10 days of Ang II infusion (prevention) or from day 10 to 17 of Ang II infusion (intervention). The influence of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin (600 mg/L-1 in drinking water) was evaluated. mg/L-l in drinking water) was evaluated. Enalapril and apocynin had no effect on hypertension in the prevention and intervention studies. Enalapril prevented the increase in heart weight index (HWI), carotid cross-sectional area (CSA) and albuminuria induced by Ang II. Enalapril reduced HWI and albuminuria whereas CSA I was not affected in the intervention study. Apocynin had effects compara...