Effects of captopril and losartan on early wound healing in hypertensive rats

To compare the effects of captopril and losartan on inflammatory response, angiogenesis, and fibroblast activity during the early phase of wound healing in hypertensive rats.

Twenty-seven paraffin-embedded skin wound samples from hypertensive rats were analyzed: control group (n = 8), losartan-treated group (n = 9), and captopril-treated group (n = 10). Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on postoperative day 4. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate general wound structure, and immunohistochemistry with anti-leukocyte common antigen, anti-CD34, and anti-smooth muscle actin was performed to assess inflammatory cells, angiogenesis, and fibroblast activity, respectively.

No significant differences were observed in angiogenesis (p > 0.05) or fibroblast number (p > 0.05) between groups. However, the inflammatory reaction was significantly higher in captopril-treated (p = 0.0459) and losartan-treated (p = 0.0452) groups compared with the control group, with no significant difference between the two treated groups.

Neither captopril nor losartan influenced angiogenesis or fibroblast proliferation in the early healing phase. However, both drugs increased inflammatory cell infiltration.