Hypotensive effect of captopril in relation to plasma renin activity in anesthetized rats

the effect of captopril (D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline), a converting enzyme inhibitor, on the systemic blood pressure in pentobarbital anesthetized rats was investigated. Experiments were performed in four groups of rats: untreated, Na-restricted, furosemide treated and bilaterally nephrectomized, respectively. Intravenous injection of 1 mg/kg of captopril caused a significant hypotensive effect in the three groups of rats but not in the nephrectomized group. Individual values for the hypotensive effect produced by captopril and plasma renin activity obtained just before injection of captopril showed a highly significant correlation.