Effect of cadmium and captopril on serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity in rats

The effects of captopril (2 mg/kg i.p.) and cadmium (1 mg/kg i.p.) at three different time points (30, 60, 180 min) on serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Captopril produced significant inhibition of ACE at 60 and 120 minutes, while maximum fall of BP (15 mm Hg) was obtained at 30 minutes post-test drug treatment. Heart rate at the three different time intervals did not change significantly. ACE levels in the serum were significantly reduced at different time intervals (30, 60, 120 min) in the cadmium-treated group as compared with controls (p < 0.05). Cadmium increased the blood pressure and heart rate of rats. The results indicate that while both cadmium and captopril produce different effects on blood pressure and heart rate, both of these also inhibit the serum ACE in rats.