Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition on the menstrual cycle of hypertensive women.
Angiotensin II was reported to play a key role in ovulation in rats and it seems also to be involved in the regulation of LH release. Thus, we studied the effect of chronic ACE inhibition on the menstrual cycle, measuring daily plasma estradiol, progesterone, LH and FSH, and renin and prorenin before and during the third month of treatment with enalapril (10 mg b.i.d.) in 10 mild essential hypertensive women. Blood pressure was normalized by treatment. The cyclical changes of steroids and gonadotrophins were unaffected in their temporal relationships and in the magnitude of their variation during the experimental cycle compared with the basal cycle. A synchronization of plasma prorenin with the other hormones was seen both before, as previously reported, and during enalapril treatment. Our data show that peripheral blockade of angiotensin I conversion does not affect the pituitary guidance of the ovarian hormonal response or the ovarian prorenin release during the menstrual cycle. Our data are in agreement with the hypothesis that circulating angiotensin II does not play a key role in the human fertility process and that hydrophilic ACE inhibitors can be safely used in the treatment of hypertensive women of reproductive age.
Troffa
C
C
Centro Ipertensione, University of Sassari, Italy.
Tonolo
G
G
Melis
M G
MG
Manunta
P
P
Soro
A
A
Pala
F
F
Pazzola
A
A
Sabino
G
G
Masala
A
A
Maioli
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000808:Angiotensinogen / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000652:urine; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004573:Electrolytes; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D000808:Angiotensinogen; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D012083:Renin