AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF BENAZEPRIL AN ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITOR ON SERUM LITHIUM LEVELS IN ALBINO RABBITS

摘要

Objective: To study the effect of benazepril an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor on serum levels of lithium in albino rabbits. Material and Methods: In this study, albino rabbits weighing 2.5 to 3 kgs, were taken and divided into four groups .Animals were fed lithium orally and also fed concurrently normal saline (control) and benazepril respectively. After eight days of drug administration blood levels of lithium were measured by flame photometry. Animals were further observed till fifteenth day for mortality Results: Benazepril did not produce any significant change in serum Lithium level or any significant mortality after one week of study. Conclusions: In spite of the fact that all ACE inhibitors have been reported to elevate serum Lithium levels, the result of this study shows that benazepril did not produce such effect. It can be concluded that among available ACE inhibitors benazepril can be preferred for concurrent administration with lithium in clinical condition where required. However it requires clinical studies for confirmation.