The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition by captopril on respiratory mechanics in healthy rats.

Alessandro Rubini, Marco Redaelli, Andrea Parmagnani

Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Section Physiology, University of Padova, Via Marzolo, Padova, Italy. alessandro.rubini@unipd.it

Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry 2012 Dec

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Angiotensin stimulates smooth-muscle contraction. Accordingly, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition is expected to decrease airway resistance. To measure the effects of ACE inhibition on respiratory mechanics in healthy mammals. We measured respiratory mechanics before and after i.p. ACE inhibitor captopril (100 mg/kg) in normal anaesthetised rats. The end-inflation occlusion method allowed the measurements of respiratory system elastance and ohmic and viscoelastic pressure dissipations. Respiratory system hysteresis and the elastic and resistive work of breathing were calculated. Captopril induced a reduction of the ohmic and the total respiratory system resistances, while respiratory system hysteresis and elastance did not change. Accordingly, a reduction of the resistive and of the total work of breathing was observed. The captopril-induced reduction of airway resistance indicates that angiotensin modulates bronchomotor tone in basal conditions. ACE inhibition may positively affect respiratory system mechanics and work of breathing.

Citation

Alessandro Rubini, Marco Redaelli, Andrea Parmagnani. The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition by captopril on respiratory mechanics in healthy rats. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry. 2012 Dec;27(6):854-60