Angiotensin II captopril cotreatment augments angiogenesis in abdominal skin flap in rats

The effect of captopril, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on angiogenesis in several reports remained unclear. Its effect on neovascularization in rat abdominal skin flaps was investigated. Flap elevation, based on the right superficial inferior epigastric artery was performed with or without the administration of captopril (10 mg/kg/d), Ang II (100 microg/kg/d), or captopril and Ang II cotreatment. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), microangiography, capillary density measurement, necrosis area determination, laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), AT1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunostaining were used to evaluate the effects of captopril and the interaction between captopril and Ang II on the angiogenesis. Ang II and captopril cotreatment improved angiogenesis more than Ang II or captopril alone. The reduction of necrosis, enhancement of vascular network formation, capillary density, VEGF immunostaining, and local blood flow were evident in the cotreated group. We suggest that Ang II and captopril cotreatment improves ischemia-induced angiogenesis and increased viability and vascularity of skin flap in rats.