title: Quinapril treatment and arterial smooth muscle responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
abstract: 1 The effects of long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition with quinapril on arterial function were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats, Wistar-Kyoto rats serving as normotensive controls. 2 Adult hypertensive animals were treated with quinapril (10 mg kg-1 day-1) for 15 weeks, which reduced their blood pressure and the concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide in plasma and ventricular tissue to a level comparable with that in normotensive rats. 3 Responses of mesenteric arterial rings in vitro were examined at the end of the study. Compared with normotensive and untreated hypertensive rats, responses to noradrenaline were attenuated in hypertensive animals on quinapril, both force of contraction and sensitivity being reduced. Quinapril also attenuated maximal contractions but not sensitivity to potassium chloride. Nifedipine less effectively inhibited vascular contractions in normotensive and quinapril-treated than in untreated hypertensive rats. 4 Arterial relaxation responses by endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine) and endothelium-independent (sodium nitrite, isoprenaline) mechanisms were similar in normotensive and quinapril-treated rats and more pronounced than in untreated hypertensive rats. 5 Cell membrane permeability to ions was evaluated by means of potassium-free solution-induced contractions of endothelium-denuded denervated arterial rings. These responses were comparable in normotensive and quinapril-treated rats and less marked than in untreated hypertensive rats. 6 Intracellular free calcium concentrations in platelets and lymphocytes, measured by the fluorescent indicator quin-2, were similar in normotensive and quinapril-treated rats and lower than in untreated hypertensive rats. 7 In conclusion, quinapril treatment improved relaxation responses and attenuated contractions in arterial smooth muscle of hypertensive rats. These changes may be explained by diminished cytosolic free calcium concentration, reduced cell membrane permeability, and alterations in dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels following long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Arvola
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Ruskoaho
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Wuorela
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Pekki
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Vapaatalo
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Pörsti
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000139:chemically induced; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D000077583:Quinapril; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007546:Isoquinolines; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D000077583:Quinapril; D002118:Calcium; D009638:Norepinephrine