Several lines of evidence points to an inter-relation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) with the endogenous fibrinolytic system. This study was planned to examine the effect of salt depletion, as a method of activation of the endogenous RAS, on plasma fibrinolytic balance in 10 healthy human subjects in the presence and absence of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor -ACE inhibitors (captopril). Activation of the RAS during low salt intake was documented by a significant increase in serum aldosterone concentration. The data suggest that activation of the RAS results in a n increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-I (PAI-I) antigen and that interruption of the RAS with the ACE inhibitor captopril significantly lowers PAI-I antigen without lowering tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen. This data provides an evidence of a direct functional link between the RAS and the fibrinolytic system in humans and these findings may help to elucidate possible mechanisms by which ACE inhibition exerts vasculo-protective effects and reduces the risk of atherothrombotic events.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.