Effect of perindopril on the renal haemodynamic changes associated with adaptation to sodium restriction in the rat

We assessed the effect of increasing doses of perindopril on the renal adaptation to withdrawal of dietary sodium in rats. In treated animals, the amount of sodium lost during the 6-day observation period was higher than that found in untreated rats, but only at doses that significantly inhibited the circulating angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Sodium loss was not enhanced by increasing the dose of the agent. In contrast, the renal vasodilatory effect of perindopril was dose-dependent, and was significant with the lowest perindopril dose, which did not impair sodium conservation. These results suggest that in the rat, perindopril may act on the renal vasculature before impairing the natriuretic adaptation in response to sodium restriction.