Research Area: Cardiovascular Disease
Biological Activity:
Enalapril maleate (Vasotec), the active metabolite of enalapril, competes with angiotensin I for binding at the angiotensin-converting enzyme, blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Inhibition of ACE results in decreased plasma angiotensin II. As angiotensin II is a vasoconstrictor and a negative-feedback mediator for renin activity, lower concentrations result in a decrease in blood pressure and stimulation of baroreceptor reflex mechanisms, which leads to decreased vasopressor activity and to decreased aldosterone secretion. Enalaprilat may also act on kininase II, an enzyme identical to ACE that degrades the vasodilator bradykinin. [1] |