Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on mitochondrial number in the aging mouse

Am J Physiol. 1993 Jul;265(1 Pt 1):C15-8. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.1993.265.1.C15.

Abstract

To investigate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on the cellular function and structure in a variety of organs during the aging process, one hundred CF1 mice were divided into four groups of 25 animals each. Groups A, B, and C received enalapril in drinking water from weaning until the age of 24 mo. Doses administered were (in mg/l): group A, 20; group B, 10; group C, 5. Group D is the control. Animals were killed, and morphometric studies were performed in heart, kidney, liver, and spleen. As a result, there was a decrease of renal and myocardial sclerosis and an increase in the number of mitochondria in heart and liver cells, which is associated with a significant increase in survival of animals receiving ACE inhibitors. These findings lead us to think that natural aging mechanisms have been altered in those animals.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Enalapril / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / ultrastructure
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / ultrastructure
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / physiology
  • Mitochondria / ultrastructure
  • Myocardium / ultrastructure
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Enalapril