Effects of Lisinopril Therapy on Endothelial Function in Behçet's Patients

Abstract

[LANGUAGE= "English"] Purpose: Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystemic, inflammatory vasculitis with an unknown cause. The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of lisinopril on endothelial function in Behçet's patients detected endothelial dysfunction.

Material and Methods: We prospectively studied 31 (12 male) consecutive Behçet's patients diagnosed according to the International Study Group criteria in Department of Dermatology, Erciyes University School of Medicine and detected endothelial dysfunction by using brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). After patients received 10 mg/d lisinopril during three months, endothelial functions were evaluated for a second time.

Results: A significant improvement was observed in FMD after therapy period (5.0 ± 1.2 vs 11.4 ± 5.0 %, p<0.001). Fibrinogen (355.4 ± 57.8 vs 343.3 ± 53.5 %, p<0.001) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (8.1 ± 5.0 vs 5.4 ± 2.6 %, p=0,01) levels also significantly decreased after therapy.

Conclusion: Lisinopril ameliorated endothelial dysfunction in Behçet's patients. However, further comprehensive studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of lisinopril.

Alternate abstract:

Purpose: Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystemic, inflammatory vasculitis with an unknown cause. The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of lisinopril on endothelial function in Behçet's patients detected endothelial dysfunction.

Material and Methods: We prospectively studied 31 (12 male) consecutive Behçet's patients diagnosed according to the International Study Group criteria in Department of Dermatology, Erciyes University School of Medicine and detected endothelial dysfunction by using brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). After patients received 10 mg/d lisinopril during three months, endothelial functions were evaluated for a second time.

Results: A significant improvement was observed in FMD after therapy period (5.0 ± 1.2 vs 11.4 ± 5.0 %, p<0.001). Fibrinogen (355.4 ± 57.8 vs 343.3 ± 53.5 %, p<0.001) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (8.1 ± 5.0 vs 5.4 ± 2.6 %, p=0,01) levels also significantly decreased after therapy.

Conclusion: Lisinopril ameliorated endothelial dysfunction in Behçet's patients. However, further comprehensive studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of lisinopril.