Lack of effect of enalaprilat on the action of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the human forearm.

Author(s): Cockcroft JR, Chowienczyk P, Elliott TG, Ritter JM

Affiliation(s): Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Guy's Hospital Medical School, London.

Publication date & source: 1993-05, Br J Clin Pharmacol., 35(5):525-7.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

It has been proposed that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) may play a role in the metabolism of the vasodilator peptide vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Reduced metabolism following treatment with ACE inhibitors may cause accumulation of VIP which in turn may mediate some of the beneficial haemodynamic effects of ACE inhibition observed in patients with heart failure. This study has shown that inhibition of local vascular ACE does not interfere with the vascular effects of VIP on forearm resistance vessels when this peptide is infused into the brachial artery of normal volunteers. These results suggest that endothelial ACE plays little part in the metabolism of intravascular VIP.