THE EFFECT OF ENALAPRIL ON THE FUNCTIONAL AND APOPTOTIC ACTIVITY OF NEUTROPHILS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE

Abstract

Aim. To study the effect of enalapril on functional activity and vitality of polymorphonuclear cells in rheumatic heart disease complicated by congestive heart failure.Material and methods. 81 patients with rheumatic heart disease and valvular disease were examined. There were 37 males (average age 53,6±9,7 y.o.) and 44 females (average age 56,2±9,6 y.o.). 25 healthy donors were involved as a control group. Neutrophils were isolated from the whole blood and cultivated during 6 h. Level of neutrophil nitric oxide production was assessed. Chemiluminescent assay was used to evaluate oxidative metabolism of neutrophils. Self-apoptotic activity of neutrophils was investigated by the determination of molecule bak on the surface of cellular membranes.Results. Redox metabolism and oxidative potential of granulocytes were increased in patients with rheumatic heart disease. Enalapril inhibited neutrophil functional and apoptotic activity and had favorable influence on the system of plasma antioxidant protection.Conclusion. The effect of enalapril can be associated with the increase of bradykinin and inhibition of angiotensin playing regulatory role in neutrophil function. Antiapoptotic effect of enalapril, probably, related to the modification of nitric oxide synthesis.

Keywords

• rheumatic heart disease
• enalapril
• neutrophils
• nitric oxide
• apoptotic activity