An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in the combination treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties and can affect the processes of angiogenesis, by reducing the effects of angiotensin II (ATII). The use of ACE inhibitors in the combination therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be also effective for monitoring disease activity and for reducing a cardiovascular risk.

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of an ACE inhibitor in the combination therapy of RA.

Patients and methods. Eighty-four patients with RA and endothelial dysfunction were examined; the mean age was 40.12±10.2 years; the mean disease duration was 4.22±3.43 years. All the patients had a blood level of ATII of >9 pg/ml. Enzyme immunoassay was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (Vector-Best, Russia), intercellular adhesion molecules 1 (ICAM-1) (Diaclone, France), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and ATII (Diagnostic, Canada). Wrist ultrasonography using the Doppler ultrasound apparatus ESAOTE MyLAB40 was carried out to assess synovial vascularization. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 43 patients who were assigned to receive standard therapy for RA according to the rheumatic disease treatment protocols; Group 2 comprised 41 patients who received the standard therapy plus ACE inhibitors 2.5–5 mg/day.

Results. The use of ACE inhibitors in the 12-month combination therapy of RA patients led to an improvement in the endothelial regulation of vascular tone, to a decrease in the blood concentration of ICAM-1, to a reduction in the intensity of synovial angiogenesis and in the blood level of VEGF by 39%, and a more significant drop in the levels of CRP and TNF-? and in DAS28 by 1.2 scores as compared to those in the standard therapy.

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