Influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, foroxymithine, on dynamic equilibrium around the renin-angiotensin system in vivo.

To understand the in vivo actions of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, a prolonged study was performed in rabbits over a half year, using one of such inhibitors, foroxymithine. During the initial 2 months of the inhibitor administration, the serum level of ACE was suppressed. Thereafter, probably triggered by the consequent sharp rise in the plasma renin activity (PRA) level, the ACE level regained its initial value. Thus the close correlation between the levels of PRA and ACE seen in the control animal was entirely broken by this inhibitor. A multivariate study indicated that the inhibitor drastically changed the normal networks of peptide metabolism in vivo. These results are compatible with the notion that the ACE inhibitor blocks the regulatory mechanisms of the renin-angiotensin system in vivo.