Synergistic decrease in blood pressure by captopril combined with losartan in spontaneous hypertensive rats

Arch Pharm Res. 2009 Jun;32(6):955-62. doi: 10.1007/s12272-009-1619-x. Epub 2009 Jun 26.

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the anti-hypertensive effect of the combination therapy of captopril with losartan by oral administration using both independent and cross-over experimental protocols. In independent experimental protocols, four different groups of spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated for 1 or 2 weeks: control, captopril (20 mg/kg/day), losartan (20 mg/kg/day), and combination captopril (10 mg/kg/day) with losartan (10 mg/kg/day). In cross-over protocols, each SHR received all four treatments for 1 or 3 days with an interval of several days between each injection for washing-out and return to high blood pressure (BP) levels. BP and heart rate (HR) were measured in conscious telemetered SHR. According to the results from the independent protocol, regardless of a 1- or 2-week administration period, combination therapy with low doses of captopril and losartan had a greater anti-hypertensive effect than individual high-dose monotherapy. Similarly, results from the cross-over protocol showed that regardless of 1-day or 3-day administration, the decrease in BP in the 11(th) and 12(th) hour after administration was greatest with the combination of low-dose captopril and losartan. Therefore, combination therapy with low doses of captopril with losartan lowered BP to a greater extent than a high dose of either individual monotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Captopril / administration & dosage*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Losartan / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred SHR
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Captopril
  • Losartan