Uricosuric effect of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan in heart transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
The angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan is an effective antihypertensive agent with unique uricosuric properties. This study evaluates the uricosuric effects of losartan in 10 hypertensive heart transplant patients with hyperuricemia.


METHODS
The patients were randomized to receive losartan 50 mg once daily and enalapril 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks according to a double-blind crossover design. Office blood pressure, plasma uric acid levels, and urinary uric acid excretion were monitored throughout the study.


RESULTS
Plasma uric acid levels decreased significantly after 4 weeks of treatment with losartan (P<0.05) but not with enalapril. On day 1 and after 1 month of treatment, a significant increase in uric acid excretion was observed only with losartan. Significant decreases in office systolic and diastolic blood pressures were obtained with enalapril but not with losartan.


CONCLUSIONS
Losartan effectively lowers plasma uric acid levels in hyperuricemic heart transplant patients.
Policlinique Médicale Universitaire and Division of Hypertension, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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G
Minghelli
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C
Seydoux
J J
JJ
Goy
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M
Burnier
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004656:Enalapril / Q000494:pharmacology; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D019808:Losartan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D014528:Uricosuric Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D014528:Uricosuric Agents; D014527:Uric Acid; D004656:Enalapril; D019808:Losartan