Effect of captopril and enalapril on selected coagulation markers in hyperlipidemia

Abstract

Background: In addition to their primary indications, hypertension and congestive heart failure, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, ACE-Is, have pleiotropic effects, which are under active investigations. There is growing evidence of data stating the significant role of ACE-Is in the regulation of hemostasis.
Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ACEIs on coagulation in hyperlipidemia.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawely rats aged 17-19 weeks were enrolled in this study. The animals were randomized into four groups each containg seven rats: group1, 2,3 and 4. Group 1 was fed a standard chow diet and serve as normal diet control while group 2,3 and 4 received atherogenic diet (4% cholesterol-enriched diet) for eight weeks. Animals in group 2, 3 and 4 were treated with distilled water (lipidemic control), captopril and enalapril for the next four weeks respectively. Captopril was used in a dose of 2x25 mg/kg/day P.O. Enalapril was given in a dose of 15 mg /kg/day P.O. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrified and blood sample was obtained from the heart for determination of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), plasma fibrinogen, platelets count and total serum cholesterol (TSC).
Results: Hyperlipidemia is associated with significant rise in plasma fibrinogen level (p<0.05). Captopril and enalapril treatment showed significant fall in elevated plasma fibrinogen levels (p<0.05). Hyperlipidemic rats treated with captopril and enalapril for 4 weeks showed significant prolongation of PT and aPTT ( p<0.05) while the platelets counts were statistically unaffected ( p>0.05).
Conclusion: We conclude that captopril and enalapril possess favorable effect on coagulation in hyperlipidemia.