Chronic vasopeptidase inhibition normalizes diabetic endothelial dysfunction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major cause of vascular morbidity but animal models for this disease have not been adequately characterized. We demonstrate that endothelial dysfunction is present in the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat. Vasopeptidase inhibition with AVE7688 (7-[[(2 S)-2-(acetylthio)-1-oxo-3-methylpropyl]amino]-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,12 b-octahydro-6-oxo-(4 S,7 S,12 bR)-pyrido[2,1- a][2]benzazepine-4-carboxic acid), 45 mg/kg/day in chow for 6 weeks, normalized acetylcholine mediated relaxation of mesenteric artery rings. Thus, chronic vasopeptidase inhibition may prevent vascular complications related to type 2 diabetes mellitus.