Temocapril, an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, Ameliorates Age-Related Increase in Carotid Arterial Stiffness in Normotensive Subjects

Abstract

Background/Aims: Oxidative stress plays an important role in vascular ageing. The close relationship of the renin-angiotensin system with mechanisms of oxidative stress suggests its possible involvement in the deleterious effects of ageing. The present study was designed to investigate whether inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system improves the age-related increase in arterial stiffness. Methods: Normotensive elderly subjects in a geriatric nursing home (n = 24; male/female = 7/17; 86 ± 9 years, mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to receive either an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, temocapril (n = 12, 1 mg daily) or nothing (n = 12). Carot id arterial stiffness parameter β and circulating levels of malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein were measured before and 6 months after randomization. Results: Temocapril decreased β (from 7.0 ± 1.0 to 4.9 ± 0.9, p < 0.05) and malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein levels (from 73.2 ± 19.9 to 61.3 ± 18.4 U/l, p < 0.05) without changing the blood pressure. The changes in β and malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly correlated (ρ = 0.600, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that temocapril ameliorates the age-related increase in carotid arterial stiffness in healthy, normotensive elderly subjects.