The ACE inhibitor alacepril suppresses atherogenesis independent of serum lipids in cholesterol-fed rabbits--critical analysis with new ultrasound technique.
The effects of alacepril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, on atherogenesis were examined in rabbits fed a hypercholesterol diet. The process of atherogenesis was evaluated in vitro by high-resolution transesophageal ultrasonography (TEE phi 4 mm, 7.5 MHz), by direct histological examination and by serum lipid examination. Of the 38 subjects, 18 were designated as the control hypercholesterol group (CH) and 20 received oral alacepril at 90 mg/day (ACE) for 13-22 weeks. Three rabbits in each group died due to pneumonia. TEE enabled a clear diagnosis as either normal, early stage or late stage of atherosclerosis. The intimal-medial thickness was significantly less in the ACE group than in the CH group, but only over the middle portion of the aorta. The ACE group had a smaller area of atheromatous plaque than the CH group (atheromatous index: 37 +/- 20* and 60 +/- 30% respectively, *p < 0.02). Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were similar in the CH group (1590 +/- 653, 258 +/- 224) and the ACE group (1574 +/- 824, 303 +/- 360 respectively). In conclusion, alacepril reduced both the area of atheromatous atheroma plaque and wall hypertrophy independent of serum lipids in cholesterol-fed rabbits. In vitro miniature TEE is a dependable method for evaluating atherosclerosis in rabbits with hypercholesterolemia.
Itoh
K
K
Department of Ultrasound and Medical Diagnosis, Sapporo Medical University, Japan.
Yoshida
S
S
Fukuda
M
M
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002216:Captopril / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012044:Regression Analysis
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008055:Lipids; D002216:Captopril; C046835:alacepril