Effect of ACE inhibitors and AT1 receptor antagonists on pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions in mice.

Experimental data show that some angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonists that are normally used as antihypertensive drugs can exert anticonvulsant-like activity against audiogenic seizures. In the current study, a number of ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, cilazapril, perindopril and zofenopril) and AT(1) antagonists (losartan, telmisartan and candesartan) were examined against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice. Captopril (50 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally significantly raised the PTZ threshold (p < 0.05). The remaining drugs were not protective against PTZ-induced convulsions. The current study indicates that captopril decreases PTZ-evoked seizures in mice, which is an animal model of myoclonic convulsions.