Protective Effects of CGS 30440, a Combined Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor and Neutral Endopeptidase Inhibitor, in a Model of Chronic Renal Failure

Abstract
The purpose of these studies was to compare the effects of CGS 30440 (CGS), a dual angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/neutral endopeptidase inhibitor (NEPI) to benazepril (BZ), an ACEI, in a model of five-sixths nephrectomy. The doses of BZ and CGS 30440 tested were 6.5 μmol/kg/day and 2.2 μmol/kg/day. Drugs or vehicle (V) were administered subcutaneously for 6 weeks with dosing initiated 1 week after renal mass reduction. At 6 weeks of receiving drug (7 weeks after five-sixths nephrectomy), CGS/6.5 and BZ/6.5 and CGS/2.2 maintained systolic blood pressures (SBP) at presurgical values. BZ/2.2 did not reduce SBP and was similar to the V group. Urinary protein excretion increased >10-fold in the V-treated group. BZ, at either dose, reduced the proteinuria slightly. CGS/6.5 and CGS/2.2 caused significant (p cl