Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
A Pacing-Controlled Procedure for the Assessment of Heart Rate-Dependent Diastolic Functions in Murine Heart Failure Models
Published on: July 21, 2023
Chronic high dose captopril decreases total heart rate variability and increases heart rate in C57BL/6J mice
Insights
High-dose captopril significantly reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and increased heart rate in healthy mice. This study investigated captopril
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The impact of therapeutic-range, high-dose captopril on autonomic function in individuals with normal cardiovascular health remains largely uncharacterized.
- This study aimed to elucidate the effects of chronic, high-dose captopril administration on autonomic activity in a preclinical model.
Discussion:
- Chronic high-dose captopril administration led to a notable attenuation in both linear and non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) parameters.
- A significant decrease in approximate entropy (ApEn), a non-linear HRV measure, was observed, suggesting altered cardiac autonomic regulation.
Key Insights:
- High-dose captopril significantly reduced overall HRV in normotensive mice.
- The drug was associated with a trend towards increased average heart rate and a significant reduction in HRV complexity.
Outlook:
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term cardiovascular implications of captopril's effects on autonomic function.
- Investigating the specific mechanisms by which captopril influences autonomic pathways in healthy subjects is crucial.
- Clinical studies may be needed to assess the relevance of these findings in human populations without cardiovascular disease.
Abstract:
The effects of high dose captopril, within the therapeutic range, on autonomic activity are unknown in those with normal cardiovascular function. Thus the study aims were to assess the effects of high dose captopril on autonomic function in mice. Autonomic activity was measured using heart rate variability (HRV). ECG recordings were obtained from 18 Male C57BL/6J mice (20-25 g) subdivided into control (N=8) or mice receiving oral captopril (0.688 mg/ml captopril in the drinking water for 6 weeks, N=10). HRV results for linear and non-linear parameters were attenuated following chronic captopril for 6 weeks compared to control. Captopril was associated with a trend for an increase in average heart rate and approximate entropy (ApEn), a non-linear measure of HRV decreased significantly compared to control (p<0.05). In conclusion high dose captopril reduces total HRV and increases heart rate in normotensive mice with normal cardiac function.
