The Effect of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme on Intimal Thickness in Cholesterol- Fed Rabbit

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor cilazaprilon inhibiting intimal thickening in 1% cholesterol-fed rabbits. Twenty rabbits were divided into the following 2 groups. A control group was fed commercial rabbit chow supplemented with 1% cholesterol (n=10), and a treated group received the cholesterol diet with 1mg/kg/day of cilazapril (n=10). Three months after the experiment, blood pressure was measured under anesthesia, and the serum levels of total cholesterol and angiotensin II were determined. Luminal and intimal areas were separately measured in the left common carotid artery, the left coronary artery, the descending thoracic aorta, and the infra-renal abdominal aorta respectively. Blood pressure and the serum level of angiotensin II were significantly decreased in the treated group. Stenotic ratio (Luminal area / Luminal area + Intimal area) in the carotid artery was significantly decreased in the treated group than in the control, but was not changed at the coronary artery, the thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta between the 2 groups. In the treated group, cilazapril reduced intimal thickening only in the carotid artery, but not in the other arteries. These results suggest that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor cilazapril inhibit intimal thickness in the carotid artery, and the inhibitory effect of cilazapril on intimal thickening might depend on different characteristics in the artery.

Cilaapril

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor

Intimal Thickness