Spironolactone enhances the beneficial effect of aliskiren on cardiac structural and electrical remodeling in TGR(mRen2)27 rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of simultaneous administration of spironolactone (20 mg/kg per day, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) and aliskiren (50 mg/kg per day, i.p.) for a period of eight weeks on cardiac remodeling in TGR(mRen2)27 rats. METHODS: Echocardiographic and electrophysiological and histological methods were used to determine the influence of spironolactone and aliskiren on cardiac remodeling. RESULTS: 1) the beneficial effect of aliskiren on SBP was enhanced by simultaneous administration of spironolactone; 2) echocardiographic studies showed that the left ventricle diameter (LVD), the left ventricle end diastolic volume (LVEDV) and the left ventricle posterior wall thickness (LVPW) were significantly reduced by the combination of both drugs when compared with aliskiren alone; 3) the ejection fraction was also increased; 4) histological studies indicated a greater decline in perivascular and interstitial fibrosis when both drugs were used; 5) the decrease of electrical remodeling of the left ventricle caused by aliskiren was further reduced by simultaneous administration of spironolactone; 6) the cardiac refractoriness increased by aliskiren was further incremented by spironolactone. Spironolactone (20 mg/kg per day) alone increased the ejection fraction and reduced LVD, LVEDV and LVPW but its effect was smaller than that achieved with the combination spironolactone plus aliskiren. CONCLUSION: The combination of an aldosterone inhibitor with a direct renin inhibitor proved to be of greater benefit for cardiac structural and electrical remodeling in this experimental model of hypertension than aliskiren alone.