Endothelial function is defective in hypercholesterolaemia, and animal models have suggested that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may prevent arterial damage. We studied the effect of 6 months treatment with lisinopril on endothelial function in a group of patients with hypercholesterolaemia. Forty patients were studied. Forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were assessed by venous occlusion plethysmography. Subjects were then randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either lisinopril, 20 mg/day (n = 20), or placebo (n = 20) for 6 months. Plethysmography was then repeated. Baseline variables between groups were comparable. In the lisinopril group blood pressure fell significantly [systolic: 145±4 to 128±4 mmHg (P< 0.001); diastolic: 84±2 to 74±2 mmHg (P< 0.001)]. An improvement was found in the vasodilatory response (expressed as a ratio of the infused/control arm) to acetylcholine, e.g. 3.33±0.3 (pre) versus 4.45±0.48 (post) at 30 μg/ml (P< 0.03), and also to nitroprusside, e.g. 3.0±0.2 (pre) versus 3.86±0.3 (post) at 3.2 μg/ml (P< 0.01). In the placebo group vasodilatation did not change significantly in response to acetylcholine, and nitroprusside responses were unchanged. The data presented suggest that 6 months of lisinopril therapy have a beneficial effect on arterial function in subjects with hyperlipidaemia. Further work should now investigate whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are beneficial in reducing mortality and morbidity in hypercholesterolaemia.
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Research Article|
March 25 1999
Lisinopril improves arterial function in hyperlipidaemia
Alison F. C. LEE;
Alison F. C. LEE
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, U.K.
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John B. C. DICK;
John B. C. DICK
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, U.K.
*Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, U.K.
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Clare E. BONNAR;
Clare E. BONNAR
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, U.K.
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Allan D. STRUTHERS
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, U.K.
Correspondence: Professor A. D. Struthers.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
November 18 1998
Accepted:
December 01 1998
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
The Biochemical Society and the Medical Research Society © 1999
1999
Clin Sci (Lond) (1999) 96 (5): 441–448.
Article history
Received:
November 18 1998
Accepted:
December 01 1998
Citation
Alison F. C. LEE, John B. C. DICK, Clare E. BONNAR, Allan D. STRUTHERS; Lisinopril improves arterial function in hyperlipidaemia. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 May 1999; 96 (5): 441–448. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/cs0960441
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