Experimental study on preventive effect of benazepril on atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE: To study the preventive action of benazepril on experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits and its mechanism. METHODS: The atherosclerosis model in rabbits was used. The contents of plasma lipid, fibrinogen (Fg), thromboxane B2(TXB2), 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α)(6-keto-PGF(1α)), the difference of heart rate, blood pressure and the aortic atherosclerotic plaque were compared in control, benazepril (po 4 mg · kg-1 · d-1) and benazepril (po 2 mg · kg-1 · d-1) groups. RESULTS: In the three groups, there was no difference in the contents of plasma lipid, Fg, TXB2. Compared with the control group, the high dose of benazepril increased the contents of 6-keto-PGF(1α) (P<0.05), reduced the blood pressure (P<0.05), decreased the area and the thickness of aortic atherosclerotic plaque. The action was not shown with the low dose of the drug. CONCLUSION: High dose of benazepril may inhibit aortic atherosclerosis in the cholesterol-fed rabbits without influencing the contents of plasma lipid, Fg, TXB2. The action is related to the increase of 6-keto PGF(1α) and the reduction of blood pressure.