Renal effects of angiotensin II in normotensive subjects on short-term cilazapril treatment.

In 13 normotensive subjects on a normal sodium diet, we studied renal vascular, blood pressure, and hormonal changes induced by infusion of exogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) (5 ng/kg/min) during baseline conditions and after 5 days of cilazapril administration. In both conditions, Ang II elicited a slight pressor response accompanied by renal hemodynamic and hormonal changes that were similar. This suggests that hourly changes in Ang II concentrations and/or in Ang II receptor density after short-term administration of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor cilazapril does not significantly affect renal vascular reactivity. In addition, these results also indirectly suggest that most of the renal effects of ACE inhibition are mediated through suppression of Ang II formation.