The Effects Of Captopril And Valsartan On The Expressions Of Angiotensin Ⅱ And C-Reactive Protein In The Aortic Plaques Of Atherosclerotic Rabbits

Objective: To observe the level of angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ) and c-reactive protein(CRP) in the aortic plaques of atherosclerotic rabbits after intervention by captopril and valsartan;to elucidate the roles of anti-inflammation after therapy of captopril and valsartan beyond their antihypertensive actions.Methods: Thirty male rabbits were divided into four groups randomly:(1) cholesterol group(n=8);(2)cholesterol+captopril treated group(n=8);(3) cholesterol+ valsartan treated group(n=8);(4)normal group(n=6).After 10 weeks, AngⅡlevel of plasma was measured by compective radioimmunoassays. Then the aortas were harvested for the measure of AngⅡand CRP by immunohistochemistry.Results: Compared with the control group, the AngⅡlevel of plasma increased significantly in the cholesterol group (494.86±67.98 vs 44.21±18.34 pg/ml, P<0.01). Captopril reduced the level of AngⅡsignificantly(202.11±57.76 vs 494.86±67.98 pg/ml P<0.01),but the level of AngⅡwas significantly higher than that of control group(202.11±57.76 vs 44.21±18.34 pg/ml P<0.01). Valsartan did not have effects on the level of AngⅡ(418.91±91.51 vs 494.86±67.98pg/ml, P>0.05).Compared with the cholesterol group, the percent of AngⅡ-positive and CRP-positive cells in plaques were significantly decreased in captopril group(from 42.28±10.60% to 24.59±5.49% and from 42.04±14.96% to 28.16±10.94%,P<0.05) .And compared with the cholesterol group, the percent of CRP-positive cells in valsartan group was significantly decreased(from 42.04±14.96% to 25.96±9.27%, P<0.05),but as for the percent of AngⅡ-positive cells there were no difference between the two groups(from 42.28±10.60 to 44.50±14.66, P>0.05).After eliminating the data of valsartan group,the expression of CRP was positively correlated with the expression of AngⅡin local atherosclerotic plaque. (r=0.851, P<0.01).Conclusion: The expression of AngⅡand CRP increased significantly in the cholesterol group .Captopril and valsartan can reduce the expression of CRP in the local plaque of aortic atherosclerosis, and suppress vascular inflammation. The expression of CRP is positively correlated with the expression of AngⅡin local atherosclerotic plaque .