Publication:

Effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor: ramipril on different biochemical parameters in essential hypertensive patients

Background Hypertension is a major risk factor for macrovascular diseases. The beneficial effects of lowering blood pressure on the vascular morbidity and mortality are well documented and demonstrated. The beneficial effects of antihypertensive agents on cardiovascular system can be counter-balanced by the induction of metabolic disorders. The modifications in various metabolic parameters (like lipids, serum electrolytes, uric acid, blood glucose levels, etc) are responsible for different adverse drug reactions of antihypertensive drugs. It might also have potential to produce secondary morbidities after long term use. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the commonly used first line antihypertensive drugs on these different biochemical parameters. Recent comparative studies suggest that, for the prevention of cardiovascular events, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) may be superior to alternative antihypertensive agents, independently of their antihypertensive effect and also claimed to have neutral or favourable effects on carbohydrate metabolism, lipid profile, uric acid. The metabolic abnormalities can be improved by ACEI. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ramipril on different biochemical parameters in essential hypertensive patients. Objective was to study effects of six months monodrug therapy with ramipril on different biochemical parameters in essential hypertensive patients.

Methods 30 newly diagnosed patients of either gender with essential hypertension were included in the study. Patients having co-morbidities like diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, gout, pregnant females were excluded from the study. Baseline readings of lipid profile, serum electrolytes, fasting blood sugar and uric acid were recorded before starting ramipril drug therapy. Same biochemical tests were repeated after six months ramipril monodrug treatment.

Results After comparing the means there is significant decrease in triglyceride levels, highly significant decrease in LDL, uric acid, sodium and fasting sugar level and highly significant increase in HDL levels.

Conclusions Ramipril has beneficial effects on RAS (Renin angiotensin system) and kinin system or both may contribute to the improvement in different biochemical parameters by ramipril.