A. Natali

Effects of perindopril on carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism in essential hypertension

Fourteen outpatients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension were treated with perindopril (4-8 mg once daily) for a 16-week period. It was observed that the drug was effective in lowering blood pressure without inducing changes in blood lipids commonly observed with other hypotensive agents. This lipid neutrality, in addition to the lack of side or toxic effects, confers on perindopril a noteworthy therapeutic value in the treatment of essential hypertension.

Captopril treatment in elderly hypertensive patients: efficacy and tolerability

Ninety-five elderly (greater than 70 years) hypertensive patients were treated for 3 months with 25-100 mg captopril daily. The mean blood pressure decrease was from 179/101 to 155/87 mmHg (P less than 0.001). The heart rate did not change. The drug was generally well tolerated (patients taking less than 100 mg captopril or captopril + chlorthalidone reported side effects) and there was no change in the biochemical parameters (glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, apoproteins, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum electrolytes). Our open study indicates that captopril is a safe and effective antihypertensive agent in elderly patients. However, some caution is necessary when high doses of captopril (100 mg/day) are used.

A pilot study of the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood lipids in hyperlipidemic patients

The effect of treatment with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood lipids was evaluated in 16 patients with hyperlipidemia. The lipid profile was assessed before treatment and at monthly intervals after treatment (1-gm capsule three times daily). The results showed a decrease in blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Tolerance of the treatment was generally good.