Effect of captopril and hydrochlorothiazide on glomerular haemodynamics and histological damage in Goldblatt hypertension with partial renal ablation.

Increased glomerular capillary pressure (GCP) mediates glomerular damage in hypertension. The efficacy of captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and captopril-hydrochlorothiazide (captopril-TZ) in lowering GCP and preventing glomerular damage was evaluated in rats with two-kidney, one clip (2K, 1C) Goldblatt hypertension and partial ablation of the unclipped kidney. Thirty days after surgery nine rats received captopril, 11 received captopril-TZ and eight served as untreated control rats. Sixty days later systemic hypertension was associated with increased GCP and severe structural damage in the unclipped kidney of C rats. Captopril lowered arterial pressure (AP), and prevented the rise in GCP and structural lesion. Captopril-TZ decreased AP and GCP to a greater extent, but did not reduce structural damage further. Captopril lowered GCP, preventing structural damage; greater reduction of GCP with captopril-TZ did not provide further protection.