title: Dose-dependent blockade of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor with losartan in normal volunteers.
abstract: Losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) antagonist, was developed as a more specific alternative to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. At a daily dose of 50 mg, losartan is currently evaluated in large outcome trials involving patients with hypertension and postmyocardial infarction. The current study evaluated the level and duration of blockade of a pressor response to angiotensin II by 50 and 150 mg of losartan, compared with 32 mg of candesartan. Eight normotensive volunteers were randomly assigned to a single dose of losartan 50 or 150 mg, candesartan 32 mg, or placebo. Subjects were re-randomized after a 2-week washout period to complete all four study arms. Radial artery systolic pressure response to exogenous angiotensin II was measured at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after administration of drug. Losartan 50 mg reduced the pressure response to exogenous angiotensin II significantly only at 6 h. In contrast, candesartan and losartan 150 mg produced a greater reduction in the pressure response to angiotensin II throughout the 24-h period. This suppression was not paralleled by a reduction in resting systemic arterial pressure. Higher doses than 50 mg of losartan might be evaluated to elicit optimal clinical effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Berlowitz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Latif
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hankins
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Ennezat
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moskowitz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tandon
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Le Jemtel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019808:Losartan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000502:physiology; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D013777:Tetrazoles; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D000804:Angiotensin II; D019808:Losartan; C081643:candesartan