icatibant and candesartan-cilexetil

We previously demonstrated that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor normalizes the up-regulated gene expression of vascular natriuretic peptide type A (NP-A) receptor in hypertensive rats. To elucidate the mechanism, we examined the effect of angiotensin II receptor (AT1) antagonist (TCV-116) and bradykinin receptor (B2) antagonist (Hoe 140) on the NP-A receptor mRNA level in the aorta of genetically hypertensive rats (SHR-SP/Izm) using ribonuclease protection assay. The effect of ACE inhibitor on the NP-A receptor mRNA level was completely abolished by a concomitant administration of Hoe 140, while TCV-116 did not show any significant effect on the NP-A receptor mRNA level. These results suggest that bradykinin plays an important role in the regulation of the vascular NP-A receptor gene expression.

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Benzimidazoles; Biphenyl Compounds; Blood Pressure; Bradykinin; Bradykinin Receptor Antagonists; Gene Expression; Indans; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Receptor, Bradykinin B2; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Tetrazoles

We have previously demonstrated that captopril ameliorates glucose intolerance by partially preventing the reduction in postprandial skeletal muscle blood flow. The present study was designed to clarify the mechanism by which ACE inhibitors affect glucose metabolism in fructose (FRU)-fed Wistar rats with hypertension, glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia. Eight-week-old male rats (n = 51) were divided into six groups. Controls were given a normal chow, while fructose-rich (55%) chow was administered to the remainder for eight weeks. The different groups were administered alacepril (ALA, 30 mg/kg/day) with or without a continuous infusion of Hoe 140, a kinin B2 receptor antagonist (150 micrograms/kg/day), Hoe 140 alone or TCV-116 (1 mg/kg/day), an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, alone. After measuring the body weight and systolic blood pressure (BP), steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) levels were determined. FRU significantly increased BP from 141 mmHg in controls to 156 mmHg. ALA with or without Hoe 140 decreased BP to 124 mmHg or 117 mmHg, respectively, but Hoe 140 alone did not affect BP. TCV-116 also decreased BP to 116 mmHg. The SSPG levels increased from 7.58 mM in controls to 8.98 mM in FRU-fed rats. This was lowered with both ALA and TCV-116. Hoe 140 alone, however, did not affect SSPG levels. Hoe 140 did not show any effects on ALA-induced improvement of SSPG. These results suggest that the improvement in glucose tolerance observed with ACE inhibitors is not due to the kinins, and angiotensin II receptor antagonists also improve insulin sensitivity.

Topics: Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Benzimidazoles; Biphenyl Compounds; Bradykinin; Bradykinin Receptor Antagonists; Captopril; Child; Diet; Fructose; Glucose; Glucose Intolerance; Humans; Hyperinsulinism; Hypertension; Insulin Resistance; Male; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Tetrazoles