Comparative study of hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide on the anti-atherogenic potential of losartan in cholesterol fed rat

The study was conducted to evaluate the anti-atherogenic potential of losartan and to assess the effects of hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide on losartan activity in rat. Cholesterol diet (0.5%) for 12 weeks led to significant hyperlipidemia, increased body weight and oxidative stress in erythrocyte. While, losartan, hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide treatment continued for next 12 weeks, losartan showed anti-atherogenic activity reflected by hypolipidemic effect and antioxidant effect in erythrocyte. This activity was abolished by addition of hydrochlorothiazide with losartan but remained unaltered by addition of indapamide with losartan. Atherosclerotic change and oxidative stress were not found in rat aorta, which may be due to short duration and low dose of cholesterol feeding. Hydrochlorothiazide treatment was associated with hypokalemia, which was not present in losartan or indapamide treatment. This study suggests that indapamide might be co-administered with losartan conserving the essential anti-atherogenic potential of losartan.