The antithrombotic effect of captopril and losartan on experimental arterial thrombosis in rats.

The mechanism by which ACE-Is (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) reduces the rate of coronary thrombosis among patients with left ventricular dysfunction is not known. A potential interaction between the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the thrombotic process has been suggested. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the antithrombotic action of drugs which block the RAS by different mechanisms; captopril (50 mg/kg p.o.)-the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and losartan (30 mg/kg p.o.)-the selective AT1 receptor antagonist. The normotensive rats were treated in acute or chronic manner (7 days) and then the arterial thrombosis was induced by insertion of a loop-shaped cannula into the abdominal aorta. The occlusion time (the period during which the loop was totally occluded by thrombus) was significantly prolonged in comparison with the control groups after chronic treatment with captopril (by 46%; p < 0.01) and losartan (by 42%; p < 0.05). Our results provide experimental evidence that the drugs blocking RAS exert an antithrombotic effect in the arterial thrombosis model in rats. This effect was independent from changes in blood pressure and primary hemostasis.