Endothelial dysfunction, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium antagonists

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

The purpose of this brief review is to separate the characteristic properties and side effects attributable to the pharmacology of the whole class of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors from those attributable to the chemical structure and kinetics of each particular ACE inhibitor. The former would be predictable and probably similar for all agents and, therefore, would be expected t...

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

ACE inhibitors have achieved widespread usage in the treatment of cardiovascular and renal disease. ACE inhibitors alter the balance between the vasoconstrictive, salt-retentive, and hypertrophic properties of angiotensin II (Ang II) and the vasodilatory and natriuretic properties of bradykinin and alter the metabolism of a number of other vasoactive substances. ACE inhibitors differ in the che...

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors versus calcium antagonists in the treatment of diabetic hypertensive patients.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium antagonists are effective agents for controlling high blood pressure in diabetic patients. We selected 30 type II diabetic patients with proteinuria and evaluated the effect of these drugs on renal function and proteinuria. In a double-blind trial, patients received either 40 mg/day enalapril or 40 mg/day nifedipine during 12 months. They als...

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and change in aortic valve calcium.

BACKGROUND Calcium accumulation in the aortic valve is a hallmark of aortic sclerosis and aortic stenosis. Because lipoproteins, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and angiotensin II colocalize with calcium in aortic valve lesions, we hypothesized an association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) use and lowered aortic valve calcium (AVC) accumulation, as measured by electron be...

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Sarcoidosis