Effects of captopril on fibrinolytic function in healthy humans

Several lines of evidence point to an interrelation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) with the endogenous fibrinolytic system. In the present study, we have therefore investigated the effect of the ACE-inhibitor captopril on various parameters of the fibrinolytic system in healthy volunteer subjects. 10 male subjects aged 28-38 years were given captopril 25 mg b.i.d. over 2 weeks. Venous blood was drawn before and at the end of the treatment period at 09.00 AM, after the volunteers had received their last dose of captopril by 07. 30 AM. Blood samples were processed for the determination of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Both parameters were determined with respect to their abundance (as antigen concentrations) and function (activity). In addition, the concentration and activity of the von Willebrand factor were also determined. Two weeks of captopril treatment had no significant effect on any of the above mentioned parameters. Our results thus show that short-term treatment with the ACE-inhibitor captopril, at least in healthy subjects on an unrestricted NaCl intake, does not affect the fibrinolytic balance between t-PA and PAI-1 or the von Willebrand factor.