title: Effects of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide alone and in combination on blood pressure and heart rate in conscious-telemetered spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of combined administration of the angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist valsartan, with the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), on blood pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Both drugs were administered continuously via subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps alone or in combination for a period of 2 weeks. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were monitored throughout the infusion interval by means of chronically-implanted radiotransmitters. Coadministration of a diuretic with valsartan potentiated the blood pressure lowering effect in conscious SHR. Responses varied in magnitude from additive (valsartan at 1 mg/kg/day + hydrochlorothiazide at 3 and 10 mg/kg/day) to synergistic (valsartan at 3 mg/kg/day + hydrochlorothiazide at 10 mg/kg/day). The greater blood pressure lowering seen in SHR receiving combination therapy was associated with only a transient increase in heart rate. A similar potentiation of the antihypertensive effect was seen during coadministration of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor benazeprilat. Additivity was noted with benazeprilat at 1 mg/kg/day + hydrochlorothiazide at 3 mg/kg/day, whereas a higher dose of HCTZ resulted in a synergistic response. These findings suggest that the similar results obtained with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and AT1 receptor antagonists are due to the capacity to which diuretic-induced activation of the renin angiotensin system occurs.
authors.affiliation: Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Pharmaceuticals Division, Novartis Corp., Summit, New Jersey 07901-1398, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Navarrete
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D013686:Telemetry; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068756:Valsartan
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D013777:Tetrazoles; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine