Investigating the effect of captopril on reducing the severity of symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome in rats

Abstract

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs when fluid builds up in the tiny, elastic air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of captopril in reducing the symptoms of ARDS induced by oleic acid in experimental rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 14 Wistar male rats of 6-7 weeks weighing 200-250 g. In the first group, they received 1.25 mg/kg of captopril daily in glucose solution for one week, but the second group did not. After one week, these rats were anesthetized by 5% isoflurane respiration and oleic acid (0.1 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneal for ARDS induction. During the first 6 hours after starting ARDS, the rats were randomly selected and after anesthesia with ether and autopsy, they were cut and the lung histology was conducted. Results: Intensity of lung tissue edema in the group receiving captopril (Cap) was 2.83 ± 0.41 and in the captopril group with oleic acid (Cap+OA) was 2.50±0.55. Additionally, 83.3% of the rats had severe pulmonary edema in the OA group which was statistically significant (P=0.003). The "severity of inflammation and bleeding" in the OA+Cap group was significantly less than OA group (P=0.026). Conclusion: Captopril can play a significant role in reducing the damage of the lung tissue and severity of tissue edema and inflammation and bleeding. Therefore, it may be possible to use this drug in human samples with acute respiratory distress syndrome to prevent further damage.