INHIBITION OF CENTRAL ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME EXERTS ANXIOLYTIC EFFECTS BY DECREASING BRAIN OXIDATIVE STRESS

This study investigated the effects of angiotensin II and captopril intracerebroventricular administration on anxiety status and brain oxidative stress. Elevated plus maze was used in order to assess the anxiety-like behavior, while the biochemical analysis included the determination of some antioxidant defense enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and also a lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde). Our results provide additional evidence of angiotensin II induced anxiety-like effects and increased prooxidant status. Moreover, the blockade of angiotensin II, by the administration of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) resulted in anxiolytic effects and decreased oxidative stress status. In addition, we found a significant correlation between the time spent by rats in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and oxidative stress markers. This could raise important therapeutic issues regarding the anxiolytic effects of some angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors used primarily for hypertension, such as captopril. Also, it seems that oxidative stress could play an important part in these actions.