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To evaluate the therapeutical effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor Captopril to the beta-blocker Propranolol in infants with congestive failure due to pulmonary overcirculation, we retrospectively analysed clinical, neurohormonal and hemodynamic data in 22 infants, 11 of whom were treated with Captopril (Group 1), 11 with Propranolol (Group 2). Age, weight, number of palliative operations, plasma renin activities and pulmonary to systemic flow ratios (3.5 vs. 3.5) were not significantly different prior to Captopril or Propranolol therapy. If treatment with digoxin and diuretics did not succeed, the infants were additionally treated with Captopril (1 mg/kg) for a mean of 7.4 months, or with 1.9 mg/kg Propranolol for 9.2 months. RESULTS: 1 mg/kg Captopril did not effectively suppress angiotensin converting enzyme in the steady state at trough level (92+/-52 vs. 87+/-50 nmol/min/ml). In the Propranolol group, the clinical heart failure score (2.6+/-1.5 vs. 7. 4+/-2.5) and plasma renin activities (14+/-10 vs. 101+/-70 ng/ml/h) were significantly lower, compared to the Captopril group. Length of hospital stay (23+/-9 vs. 52+/-24 days) was lower and weight gain (126+/-38 vs. 86+/-84 g/week) was higher within 3 months after starting Propranolol therapy. Significantly lower left atrial pressures (6.2+/-2.2 vs. 13.4+/-9.2 mmHg) and lower endiastolic ventricular pressures (7.6+/-2.5 vs. 12.6+/-4.0 mmHg) during pre-operative cardiac catheterization indicated a better diastolic ventricular function under chronic Propranolol treatment. CONCLUSION: Although high dose Captopril was not evaluated in this study, when compared to patients on low Captopril dosages, infants who received Propranolol treatment showed improvement in heart failure scores, shorter lengths of hospital stay, lower plasma renin activities and better diastolic ventricular functions.

online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11104878&dopt=Abstract




Mol Cell Biochem. 2000 Sep;212(1-2):219-25.
Bradykinin (B2) independent effect of captopril on the development of pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy.

Turcani M, Rupp H.

Institute of Pathophysiology, Medical School, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.

Besides the reduction of angiotensin II formation, locally increased kinins may play a role in the cardiovascular action of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. To characterize the contribution of bradykinin to the effects of ACE inhibition by captopril on the development of pressure overload hypertrophy, sham-operated rats and rats with ascending aortic constriction were treated with captopril (80 mg/kg/day) or captopril and B2 kinin receptor antagonist HOE 140 (0.5 mg/kg/day) for 7 weeks. Left ventricular mass and geometry, hydroxyproline concentration and myosin isozymes (marker of a fetal phenotype) were assessed. Rats with aortic constriction exhibited a marked increase in left ventricular weight and diastolic pressure-volume relationship was shifted to smaller volumes. Signs of congestive heart failure were not apparent. The hydroxyproline concentration remained unaltered. However, the proportion of isomyosin V3 was increased (p < 0.05). Administration of captopril reduced (p < 0.05) systolic blood pressure, body and cardiac weight in all treated rats. The reduction of left ventricular weight was disproportionally higher in pressure overloaded rats, thus the relative left ventricular weight decreased by 15% (p < 0.05). Captopril augmented the isomyosin V1 expression (p < 0.05) in sham operated as well as pressure overloaded rats. The isomyosin V1 percentage was inversely related to the relative left ventricular weight. Two different (p < 0.05) correlation lines were detected for untreated and captopril treated rats. None of captopril associated effects were removed by simultaneously administered B, kinin receptor antagonist HOE 140. Thus, stimulation of bradykinin B2 receptor appears not to mediate the effects of captopril on cardiac growth and contractile proteins during the development of pressure overload hypertrophy.

online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11108154&dopt=Abstract




Mol Cell Biochem. 2000 Sep;212(1-2):227-35.
Role of cardiac renin-angiotensin system in sarcoplasmic reticulum function and gene expression in the ischemic-reperfused heart.

Takeo S, Nasa Y, Tanonaka K, Yamaguchi F, Yabe K, Hayashi H, Dhalla NS.

Department of Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Japan.

The aim of this study was to explore the possible participation of cardiac renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the ischemia-reperfusion induced changes in heart function as well as Ca2+-handling activities and gene expression of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) proteins. The isolated rat hearts, treated for 10 min without and with 30 microM captopril or 100 microM losartan, were subjected to 30 min ischemia followed by reperfusion for 60 min and processed for the measurement of SR function and gene expression. Attenuated recovery of the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) upon reperfusion of the ischemic heart was accompanied by a marked reduction in SR Ca2+-pump ATPase, Ca2+-uptake and Ca2+-release activities. Northern blot analysis revealed that mRNA levels for SR Ca2+-handling proteins such as Ca2+-pump ATPase (SERCA2a), ryanodine receptor, calsequestrin and phospholamban were decreased in the ischemia-reperfused heart as compared with the non-ischemic control. Treatment with captopril improved the recovery of LVDP as well as SR Ca2+-pump ATPase and Ca2+-uptake activities in the postischemic hearts but had no effect on changes in Ca2+-release activity due to ischemic-reperfusion. Losartan neither affected the changes in contractile function nor modified alterations in SR Ca2+-handling activities. The ischemia-reperfusion induced decrease in mRNA levels for SR Ca2+-handling proteins were not affected by treatment with captopril or losartan. The results suggest that the improvement of cardiac function in the ischemic-reperfused heart by captopril is associated with the preservation of SR Ca2+-pump activities; however, it is unlikely that this action of captopril is mediated through the modification of cardiac RAS. Furthermore, cardiac RAS does not appear to contribute towards the ischemia-reperfusion induced changes in gene expression for SR Ca2+-handling proteins.

online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11108155&dopt=Abstract













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