Captopril effect on prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and proteinuria in lupus nephritis patients.
OBJECTIVE
High urinary Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) levels have been reported in lupus nephritis (LN). Captopril diminishes proteinuria and improves glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and may have effect on immune function. We evaluate captopril effect on urinary PGE2, and TxB2.


METHODS
Eighteen LN patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 received only prednisone plus cyclophosphamide. Group 2 received also captopril. Serum creatinine, GFR, RPF, urinary proteins, PGE2 and TxB2, were assessed.


RESULTS
There were no differences between the initial and final assessments in Group 1. Group 2 showed a significant decrement in proteinuria (p=0.003) and serum creatinine (p=0.01) at the end of the study. PGE2 decreased significantly when compared with the initial value (p=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Captopril plus usual treatment, improved serum creatinine and decreased proteinuria in parallel with prostaglandin E2 reduction. This effect is not related to changes in GFR or RPF. Captopril may have an immunomodulatory effect on local inflammatory processes in lupus nephritis.
Daza
L
L
Rheumatology and Clinical Research Unit, Hospital de Especialidades, IMSS, León Guanajuato, Mexico. daza6208@hotmail.com
Kornhauser
C
C
Zamora
L
L
Flores
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002216:Captopril / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015232:Dinoprostone; D006801:Humans; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013929:Thromboxane B2
D013929:Thromboxane B2; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002216:Captopril; D011239:Prednisolone; D015232:Dinoprostone