Dexamethasone induced alterations in the levels of proteases involved in blood pressure homeostasis and blood coagulation in rats.

This study was designed to investigate the alterations in the levels of various proteases such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), kallikrein, aminopeptidases, urokinase and plasmin in serum-heart and kidney and to find out whether the changes in the levels of these enzymes could explain the pathogeneses of hypertension induced by Dexamethasone (Dex). Dex was administered to Male Wistar rats (180-200 g body weight) at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg/week subcutaneously on alternate days for 2 weeks. One more week was included in this investigation to oversee the recovery process. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) showed significant elevation during administration and after withdrawal of Dex. The levels of enzymes such as angiotensin converting enzyme, carboxypeptidase-N and leucine aminopeptidase were found to be elevated in serum as well as in tissues. The level of kallikrein was observed to decrease in serum and tissues and that of thrombin, plasmin and urokinase exhibited variations. Thus, treatment with Dex altered the levels of these proteases which might have a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and in altered blood coagulation.