Angiotensin II suppression in humans by the orally active renin inhibitor Aliskiren (SPP100): comparison with enalapril

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of Angiotensin II, published as a randomized controlled trial.

Renin is the main determinant of angiotensin (Ang) II levels.

So far, specific renin inhibitors lacked potency and/or oral availability.

Who Took Part

The study group was 18 volunteers.

By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were adults, men only.

How the Study Was Run

The design is described as randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and crossover.

Because people in this Angiotensin II study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

Neither the volunteers nor the staff measuring them knew who was on Angiotensin II, so expectations could not easily colour the readings.

The comparison arm used a placebo, so changes seen with Angiotensin II could be set against what happens without it.

Each person switched between Angiotensin II and the comparison at some point, usually with a gap in between.

What Was Measured

Renin is the main determinant of angiotensin (Ang) II levels.

PubMed files the paper under topics including Aldosterone, Amides, Angiotensin I, Angiotensin II, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Antihypertensive Agents and Blood Pressure.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of Angiotensin II in 18 volunteers.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 2002 (Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Angiotensin II compound page, all human trials.