title: Sympathetic nervous activity and noradrenaline reactivity during angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition.
abstract: The effect of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril on catecholamine disposition and noradrenaline reactivity was studied in normotensive volunteers. In the first study 5 mg of ramipril or placebo was given 3 times at 12-hour intervals in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over manner (n = 10). In the second study, ramipril 10 mg daily was given for 2 weeks (n = 6). Noradrenaline reactivity increased significantly (p less than 0.05) both in short- and long-term application, while blood pressure decreased (p less than 0.01). Sulfoconjugated plasma noradrenaline decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) possibly indicating a decrease in sympathetic tone. These findings suggest that a decrease in sympathetic tone could contribute to the blood pressure-lowering effect of ramipril, whereas the increase in noradrenaline reactivity is probably a consequence of the primary change in sympathetic activity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017257:Ramipril; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds; D002395:Catecholamines; D017257:Ramipril; D009638:Norepinephrine