[Evaluation of the effect of enalapril, a converting enzyme inhibitor, on lymphocytic beta-adrenergic receptors of patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency].

We have previously corroborated that lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptor density is significantly reduced in patients with chronic heart failure. It is well known that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors normalize the function of sympathetic nervous system. We have assessed the effect of enalapril on lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptor system from patients with chronic heart failure (n = 14) using a random, cross and double blind protocol. Our results show that the improvement in clinical score and ventricular function were not related with changes in the number and affinity of beta-adrenergic receptor nor cyclic AMP content in lymphocytes obtained from these patients.