This study evaluates the effect in artery stiffness of enalapril maleate in Rheumatoid Arthritis women patients. Half of participants will receive 5 mg enalapril maleate every 12 hrs, while the other half will receive a placebo.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease considered as an independent cardiovascular risk factor that is associated with cumulative inflammatory load with an elevation of circulating levels of cytokines, which mediate the mechanism of endothelial cells activation by increasing the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) function and generation of vasoconstriction. Enalapril maleate is a prodrug that is hydrolyzed by hepatic esterases in enalaprilat, which is a potent inhibitor of ACE. ACE inhibition decreases vascular systemic resistance and mean, diastolic and systolic blood pressures in several hypertensive states, independently of the mechanism, ACE inhibitors have a widespread clinic use for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the researchers considered that there could be an association between the use of enalapril and the decrease in arterial stiffness.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
59
Enalapril Maleate 5 mg tablet, every 12 hrs for 90 days.
Placebo 5 mg tablet, every 12 hrs for 90 days.
Instituto de Investigación en Reumatología y Sistema Músculo Esquelético
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Change in Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV)
This is a measure of arterial stiffness, or the rate at which pressure waves move down the vessel.
Time frame: Baseline and 90 days
Change in Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index
This is calculated from PWV at the origin of the aorta to the ankle portion of the tibial artery, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures measured at the upper brachial artery.
Time frame: Baseline and 90 days
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