Antihypertensive activity and renal effects of benazepril in humans

The effects of the treatment with benazepril (BEN) on blood pressure and renal function have been evaluated in nine adult patients affected by mild to moderate hypertension. BEN was administered orally, at a single daily dose of 10 mg for four weeks. BEN induced a clinically significant decrease in blood pressure, from a mean basal value of 155/98 mm Hg (+/- 15/7 SD) to 146/92 (+/- 12/9) after seven days of therapy and 139/88 (+/- 11/10) after 28 days in supine position and from 152/104 (+/- 17/6) to 144/97 (+/- 14/6) after seven days and 145/99 (+/- 16/9) after 28 days in a standing position. Plasma urea, creatinine, uric acid and their clearances as well as urine enzymes (GGT, ALP, LDH) remained stable throughout the duration of the therapy. GFR showed a modest increase, from 61.3 +/- 13.2 ml/min to 65.3 +/- 18.3 ERPF showed a slightly more evident increase, from 246.7 +/- 68.1 ml/min to 276.9 +/- 75.6. Plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides were not influenced by BEN. Plasma potassium increased from 4.0 +/- 0.3 to 4.4 +/- 0.5 mEq/liter. The results of this study indicate that BEN is a safe and effective antihypertensive agent that does not cause any adverse renal or metabolic effects.