Captopril downregulates expression of Bax/cytochrome C/caspase-3 apoptotic pathway, reduces inflammation, and oxidative stress in cisplatin-induced acute hepatic injury

Cisplatin (Cis) is an effective cancer therapy commonly employed in many therapeutic regimens. However, treatment regimens that contain either a high dose or cumulative doses of Cis could trigger liver damage. A unique study demonstrated that captopril (Cap) protects against Cis-induced liver toxicity, but only some liver function enzymes and some antioxidant enzymes were investigated in that study. Our study aims to elucidate the protective mechanism of Cap against Cis liver toxicity. Acute liver toxicity was induced in rats by injecting a single Cis dose (7.5 mg/kg) in three groups (n = 6). Two groups were pre-treated with low (50 mg/kg) and high (100 mg/kg) Cap doses for one week before Cis injection, and the third group was injected with Cis only. The high Cap dose significantly improved liver function markers (ALT, AST, and ALP) and hepatic tissue pathology. The low Cap dose significantly improved ALP and, to a lesser extent, hepatic tissue pathology. Both Cap doses significantly decreased liver contents of MDA, IL-1β, and cleaved caspase-3; and liver protein expression of TNF-α, Bax, and caspase-3. The high Cap dose significantly increased liver contents of GSH, GPx, CAT, and SOD, and the liver protein expression of Bcl2. Moreover, only the high Cap dose significantly decreased liver IL-6 content and cytochrome C protein expression. Cap did not inhibit the antitumor impact of Cis against HCT116 cancer cells. Therefore, Cap restricts Cis-induced liver toxicity by reducing inflammation and apoptosis and augmenting the antioxidant system.

Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme induces mechanical allodynia through increasing substance P expression in mice

Although emerging evidence shows that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is associated with pain, it is not clear whether inhibition of ACE could affect to nociceptive transmission and which mediators are involved in this process. Here we investigated whether administration of the ACE inhibitors, captopril and enalapril increases the expression of substance P (SP) and whether this increase contributes to the induction of mechanical allodynia in mice. ACE was expressed in the lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the superficial dorsal horn (SDH) region of the spinal cord in mice. Either intraperitoneal or intrathecal administration of the ACE inhibitors, captopril and enalapril for 10 days significantly increased the paw withdrawal frequency to innocuous mechanical stimuli and the levels of SP in both the lumbar DRG and the SDH region of the spinal cord dorsal horn. In addition, intraperitoneal administration of the SP receptor (neurokinin-1 receptor) antagonist, L-733,060 suppressed mechanical allodynia that was induced by pretreatment of captopril and enalapril. Intraplantar administration of SP for 3 days induces mechanical allodynia, and this effect was reduced by exogenous ACE administration. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of ACE increases the levels of SP in both the lumbar DRG and spinal cord dorsal horn, ultimately contributing to the induction of mechanical allodynia in mice.

Comparative effects of enalapril versus perindopril on serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in hypertensive patients

Introduction: Abnormal adipokine levels affect blood pressure (BP) regulation. Hypo-adiponectinaemia and hyperleptinaemia were reported in hypertension, little is known about how antihypertensive therapy affects these alterations. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of perindopril versus enalapril on plasma adiponectin, tumour necrosis alpha (TNF-α) and leptin levels in hypertensive individuals.Methods: In the present study, we analysed the samples obtained from 93 treatment-naıve, adult hypertensive patients, randomised to treatement with enalapril (10 mg/d, n = 31), perindopril (5 mg/d, n = 31), or maintained on life style modification (n = 31). Plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α and lipid profile were determined at baseline, and after 3 months.Results: Compared to subjects maintained on lifestyle modification (n = 31), enalapril or perindopril treatment was associated with a significant decrease in BP. Administration of perindopril or enalapril resulted in an increase in plasma adiponectin and a reduction in plasma leptin. No significant changes in lipid profile were observed after treatment.Conclusions: Our results indicate that perindopril is superior to enalapril when it comes to its effect on the human adipose-tissue-derived hormones. This suggests that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors improves the adipokine profile, possibly allowing beneficial effects to hypertensive individuals.

Immunomodulatory properties of captopril, an ACE inhibitor, on LPS-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis as well as oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

The role of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on the inflammation process has been demonstrated previously. In the present study, the effects of captopril on lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were investigated.

METHODS

Control, LPS, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg captopril-treated before LPS administration and captopril 50 mg/kg before saline administration groups of rats were studied. Total and percentage of differential WBC, the levels of MDA, total thiol groups, the activities of SOD and CAT, the levels of IFN-γ, PGE2, TGF-β1 and IL-4 in the BALF were evaluated.

RESULTS

MDA concentration in LPS groups treated with all captopril concentrations, total WBC in LPS + Cap50, percent of neutrophils in LPS + Cap25 and LPS + Cap50, levels of IFN-γ, PGE2, TGF-β1 in LPS + Cap50 and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in LPS + Cap25 and LPS + Cap50 were significantly decreased but total thiol groups and activity of SOD in LPS + Cap25 and LPS + Cap50, percent of lymphocyte, CAT activity and concentration of IL-4 only in LPS + Cap50 group were increased in comparison to the LPS group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Captopril dose dependently improved oxidant-antioxidant biomarkers, the imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and showed specific immunomodulatory effect on Th1/Th2 balance in the BALF of lung injury induced by LPS.