Relation of plasma renin activity to the antihypertensive effect of MK 421 in the rat.

1 The effect of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, MK 421 (N-((S)-1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl)L-Ala-L-Pro), on the blood pressure of two-kidney Goldblatt hypertensive rats has been investigated in relation to he initial plasma renin activity (PRA) and the initial blood pressure of the individual animals. 2 Blood pressure was monitored by an indirect tail-cuff method at 1, 3, 6 and 24 h after dosing. MK 421 produced a fall in blood pressure in the majority of animals, but the extent of this reduction varied considerably between individuals. 3 The change in blood pressure showed a significant correlation with both the initial PRA and the initial blood pressures of the animals. However, only a modest correlation was found between the initial PRA and the degree of hypertension. 4 MK 421 (10 mg/kg, orally) produced a mean blood pressure change which was statistically significant (P less than 0.001) at all times tested. 5 It is concluded that the degree of antihypertensive activity of MK 421 is related to the degree of activity of the renin-angiotensin system which, in this model at least, is reflected by the PRA.