Evaluation of the effects of inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme with enalapril in dogs with induced chronic renal insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril would lower systemic arterial and glomerular capillary pressure and reduce the magnitude of renal injury in a canine model of renal insufficiency.


METHODS
18 adult dogs that had renal mass reduced by partial nephrectomy.


METHODS
After surgical reduction of renal mass and baseline measurements, dogs in 2 equal groups received either placebo (group 1) or enalapril (0.5 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h; group 2) for 6 months.


RESULTS
Values for systemic mean arterial blood pressure determined by indirect and direct measurement after 3 and 6 months of treatment, respectively, were significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1. During treatment, monthly urine protein-to-creatinine ratios were consistently lower in group 2 than in group 1, although values were significantly different only at 3 months. At 6 months, significant reduction in glomerular capillary pressure in group 2 was detected, compared with group 1, but glomerular filtration rate in group 2 was not compromised. Glomerular hypertrophy, assessed by measurement of planar surface area of glomeruli, was similar in both groups. Glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions were significantly less in group 2, compared with group 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Data suggest that inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme was effective in modulating progressive renal injury, which was associated with reduction of glomerular and systemic hypertension and proteinuria but not glomerular hypertrophy. Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme may be effective for modulating progression of renal disease in dogs.
Brown
Scott A
SA
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Finco
Delmar R
DR
Brown
Cathy A
CA
Crowell
Wayne A
WA
Alva
Roberto
R
Ericsson
Glenn E
GE
Cooper
Tanya
T
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004285:Dogs; D004656:Enalapril / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004656:Enalapril; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A