The arterial length-densities under preventive angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibiting treatment in the myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats

The length density (L-v) of capillaries is known to be increased in the hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) after high-dosed but also after low-dosed subantihypertensive treatment with the ACE-inhibitor Ramipril administered in utero and post partum. Under the same conditions in the present study only high-dose Zabicipril caused an increase of capillary LV. Under preventive ACE-inhibition in both high-dose groups L-v of myocardial arteries was significantly higher. In the low-dose groups L-v was not significantly increased. The increased arterial L-v in the high-dose-group may result from the avoidance of angiotensin II-induced overabundant growth of myocardial muscle-mass. Changes in collagen could not be found in any of the experimental groups.