Haemodynamic effects of the renin inhibitor SR 42128 in conscious baboons

We studied the haemodynamic effects of captopril [3 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.)] and SR 42128 (8 mg/kg in a 30-min perfusion) in the conscious baboon after sodium depletion by furosemide. The evolution of the following parameters was studied: plasma renin activity (PRA), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), first derivative of the left intraventricular pressure (dP/dt) and total peripheral resistance (TPR). Captopril (n = 5) increased PRA twofold and decreased MAP and TPR. Heart rate, CO and dP/dtmax were not significantly modified. As compared with a control group (n = 5), SR 42128 (n = 5) decreased PRA to almost undetectable levels for at least 2 h and decreased MAP, CO and TPR. It did not alter HR or dP/dtmax. Thus we can conclude that SR 42128 is a long-acting inhibitor of circulating renin in baboons and, in our experimental conditions, SR 42128, like captopril, induced a decrease in blood pressure without detrimental effect on cardiac function.