RENAL EFFECTS OF AN ANGIOTENSIN-II ANTAGONIST IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RAT

We evaluated the renal effects of the new angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, HR 720, in the stroke-prone spontaneously hyperte nsive rat. Rats were treated with either vehicle, HR 720, MK-954 (a se lective ATL receptor antagonist) or enalapril for 6 weeks. Blood press ure was decreased to a similar extent by HR 720, MK-954 and enalapril (203 +/- 4, 202 +/- 5 and 190 +/- 4 vs. 247 +/- 4 mm Hg for control). Urinary protein secretion was also decreased (5.2 +/- 0.3, 5.3 +/- 0.2 and 5.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 25.2 +/- 4.6 mg/100 g/24 h). The glomerular hyper tensive change was improved in each drug-treated group (2.0 +/- 0.2, 3 .3 +/- 0.3 and 1.6 +/- 0.1 vs. 17.6 +/- 1.5%; p < 0.0001). These resul ts show that, in addition to its antihypertensive effect, HR 720 has a beneficial effect on renal function.