Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibition Improves the Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Carbon Dioxide Treatment

In Vivo. 2017 May-Jun;31(3):425-428. doi: 10.21873/invivo.11077.

Abstract

Aim: To study the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) therapy on the nitric oxide (NO) pathway by monitoring plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations.

Patients and methods: Forty-seven hypertensive patients who underwent transcutaneous CO2 therapy were enrolled. Thirty healthy individuals were recruited for the control group. Blood samples were taken one hour before, as well as one hour, 24 hours and 3 weeks after the first CO2 treatment. Controls did not undergo CO2 treatment. Plasma ADMA levels were measured by ELISA.

Results: ADMA levels decreased significantly one hour after the first CO2 treatment compared to the baseline concentrations (p=0.003). Significantly greater reduction was found among patients in whom angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) were administered (p=0.019).

Conclusion: The short- and long-term decrease of ADMA levels suggests that CO2 is not only a vasodilator, but also has a beneficial effect on the NO pathway. ACE inhibition seems to enhance the effect of CO2 treatment.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide therapy; angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor; asymmetric dimethylarginine.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives
  • Arginine / blood
  • Carbon Dioxide / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Skin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Nitric Oxide
  • N,N-dimethylarginine
  • Arginine