Lisinopril indifferently improves heart rate variability during day and night periods in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Physiol Res. 2013;62(3):237-45. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.932425. Epub 2013 Mar 14.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of 10 weeks of lisinopril treatment to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) on day/night variations of blood pressure, heart rate and autonomic cardio-regulation parameters. Male SHR with surgically implanted radio-telemetry implant that provided direct measurements of arterial pressure and electrocardiogram wave were used. Animals were allocated to two groups (n=5 each). The first group was treated with lisinopril (20 mg/kg by gavage) daily for 10 weeks (treated group); whereas the second was gavaged daily with tap water (untreated group). Arterial blood pressure, ECG and other telemetry parameters were recorded at the start and at the end of 10-week treatment. Collected data were analyzed using specialized software and were statistically tested. In addition to the expected lowering of blood pressure, spectral analysis of R-R intervals revealed that lisinopril treatment for 10 weeks significantly caused 2-3 fold increase in heart rate variability (HRV) during both active and inactive periods. However, R-R interval durations demonstrated variable distribution patterns during those periods. The cause of observed distribution pattern of R-R intervals during active and inactive periods may be of significance to better understand HRV changes and warrants further investigations.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Autonomic Nervous System / drug effects
  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Circadian Rhythm / drug effects*
  • Heart Rate / drug effects*
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology*
  • Lisinopril
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred SHR
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Lisinopril