Perindopril Reverses Myocyte Remodeling in the Hypertensive Heart

Studies have shown that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in cardiac remodeling induced by hypertension. However, the role of this system on myocyte remodeling remains unclear. In the present study, we have assessed the effect of perindopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) as a means to evaluate the role of RAS in myocyte remodeling. We also investigated the effect of β blockade on myocyte remodeling. We used female SHRs at 12 weeks of age. They were divided into four experimental groups: a control group, group C; low dose perindopril group (0.3 mg⁄kg⁄day, p.o.), group PL; high dose perindopril group (3 mg⁄kg⁄day, p.o.), group PH; and bisoprolol group (60 mg⁄kg⁄day, p.o.), group B. We isolated myocytes from these rats after 4 weeks. LV myocyte volume and cross-sectional area decreased in groups PL and PH compared to group C. LV myocyte length decreased in group PH compared to group C. However, there was no morphological change in LV myocytes in group B compared to group C. In summary, ACE inhibitors reversed cardiac hypertrophy mainly by a reduction in LV myocyte volume; however, β blockade did not reverse myocyte remodeling. These results suggest that RAS plays an important role in myocyte remodeling in the hypertensive heart. (Hypertens Res 2002; 25: 85-90)