The effect of captopril on nitric oxide, endothelin and C-reactive protein in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective To investigate the changes of serum nitric oxide (NO), endothelin(ET)and C-reactive protein(CRP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the effect of captopril on the changes. Methods 120 type 2 diabetic subjects were randomly assigned into conventional (CV) treatment group and captopril (CP) group.The captopril group was given captopril in addition to conventional treatment.The serum NO,ET and CRP concentration were measured before and 1,2,3 and 6 months after treatment, which were compared with those in 50 normal control (NC). Results The level of NO was significantly lower (23±6 vs 37±8 μmol/L), while the levels of ET and CRP significantly higher in type 2 diabetic subjects than those in NC group (94±19 vs 57±14 μg/L,and 4.6±2.1 vs 2.3±1.2 mg/L,all P0.05).In the CP group after 2 months treatment the NO level increased significantly ( from 23±7 to 29±6μmol/L,P0.05) and the level of ET decreased significantly (from 95±19 to 80±22 μg/L,P0.05). After 3 months treatment, the level of CRP decreased significantly (from 4.7±1.3 to 3.3±1.1 mg/L,P0.05). In CV group, the levels of NO, ET and CRP didn't significantly change in a preiod of 6 months' following-up. Conclusion Endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation within the vascular intima are present in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Captopril improves the endothelial dysfunction and reduces the inflammation in the intima.