Captopril Combined with Furosemide or Hydrochlorothiazide Affects Macrophage Functions in Mouse Contact Hypersensitivity Response

Hypertension is a chronic disease associated with chronic inflammation involving activated macrophages. Antihypertensive drugs (for example, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors-ACEIs) used in the treatment of hypertension have immunomodulatory properties. On the other hand, the immunological effect of diuretics and combined drugs (diuretics + ACEI) is unclear. Therefore, we examined the influence of diuretics and combination drugs (ACEI + diuretic) on cellular response (contact hypersensitivity), production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs), and nitric oxide (NO), and the secretion of interleukin-12 (IL-12). CBA mice were administered i.p. captopril (5 mg/kg) with or without hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg) or furosemide (5 mg/kg) for 8 days. On the third day, the mice were administered i.p. mineral oil, and macrophages were collected 5 days later. In the presented results, we show that diuretics administered alone or with captopril increase the generation of ROIs and reduce the formation of NO by macrophages. Moreover, tested drugs inhibit the secretion of IL-12. Diuretics and combined drugs reduce the activity of contact hypersensitivity (both activation and induction phases). Our research shows that the tested drugs modulate the cellular response by influencing the function of macrophages, which is important in assessing the safety of antihypertensive therapy.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the effects of diuretics and combination drugs on the function of macrophages. These drugs increase the production of ROS, reduce the formation of NO, and inhibit the secretion of IL-12. They also reduce the activity of contact hypersensitivity.