Renal effects of alacepril in essential hypertension

Short-term effects of alacepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), on renal function and hemodynamics were investigated in 10 hypertensive subjects (aged 55.7 +/- 9.5 years, mean +/- SD). Renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were examined before and after 12-week administration of alacepril, by [131I]hippuran and [99mTc]DTPA, respectively. Alacepril (50 mg/day) caused a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, from 161 +/- 8 to 140 +/- 10 mm Hg and from 100 +/- 3 to 90 +/- 5 mm Hg, respectively). Alacepril increased GFR (from 63.4 +/- 22.2 to 69.1 +/- 22.1 ml/min/1.73 m2, p less than 0.05) without changing RPF (from 438 +/- 194 to 432 +/- 148 ml/min/1.73 m2, p greater than 0.05). Serum creatinine and electrolytes were not changed by alacepril administration. These data show that short-term alacepril administration improves renal function, probably owing to relaxation of renal vasoconstriction.