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

Effect of Mirtazapine Pre-treatment on Haloperidol, Ergometrine and Fluoxetine Induced Behaviours in Albino Rats

Background: Central 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C serotonergic receptors are mainly involved in the control of nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic neuronal activity has been well proved and established. 5-HT has facilitatory effect on stimulated dopamine release by stimulating central 5-HT2A receptors and inhibitory effect by stimulating 5-HT2C receptors. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor blocking activity of Mirtazapine (MIR) and the effect of mirtazapine pre-treatment on Ergometrine (ERG) induced behaviours, Fluoxetine (FLU) induced penile erections and Haloperidol (HAL) induced catalepsy in rats. Material and Methods: Each group was subdivided into different subgroups consisting 6 animals in each. Control group received Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) and other groups received different doses of mirtazapine one hour before ERG/FLU/HAL. Values obtained from control group were compared with all remaining groups pre-treatment with different doses of MIR. Results: MIR (MIR) at 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p) did not produce any per se effects. Pre-treatment with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg i.p. MIR significantly antagonised ERG induced behaviours. 5 mg/kg i.p. MIR significantly antagonised whereas 10 and 20 mg/kg i.p. MIR abolished FLU (10 mg/kg) induced penile erections in rats. MIR 5 and 20 mg/kg i.p. significantly antagonised HAL (1mg/kg) induced catalepsy at 1 hr testing time interval while 10 and 20 mg/kg MIR significantly antagonised HAL (1 mg/kg) induced catalepsy at 2 hr testing time interval. Conclusion: Our results indicate that MIR at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg possesses 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors blocking activity. At 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg MIR, by blocking central 5-HT2C receptors predominantly, causes release of dopamine from nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and therefore antagonizes HAL induced catalepsy