Abstract

We have synthesized a prodrug of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril by coupling this drug covalently to the low molecular weight protein (LMWP) lysozyme. Such drug-LMWP conjugates can be used for renal drug delivery, since LMWPs accumulate specifically in the proximal tubular cells of the kidney. In the present study, we compared the effects of captopril-lysozyme and free captopril in male Wistar rats. ACE activity in plasma and the kidney was measured after intravenous bolus injection of either the captopril-lysozyme conjugate (33 mg · kg⁻¹, corresponding to 0.2 mg · kg⁻¹ captopril) or equivalent dosages of free captopril and lysozyme. The administration of the captopril-lysozyme conjugate resulted in less plasma ACE inhibition and a longer-lasting renal ACE inhibition compared with the free drug. Effects on blood pressure and natriuresis were studied during intravenous infusion of captopril-lysozyme (275 mg · kg⁻¹ · 6 h⁻¹ conjugate, corresponding to 5 mg · kg⁻¹ · 6 h⁻¹ captopril) or an equimolar dosage of free captopril. Captopril-lysozyme did not affect systemic blood pressure, whereas free captopril lowered blood pressure significantly (−23 ± 32% versus control after 6 h). Captopril-lysozyme increased natriuresis about 3-fold compared with control levels (260 ± 32% after 6 h), whereas free captopril treatment resulted in a reduced sodium excretion (26 ± 12%). Furthermore, captopril at a lower dose, which only moderately lowered blood pressure, showed an increased sodium excretion. We conclude that renal delivery of captopril using captopril-lysozyme results in reduced systemic activity and increased kidney-specific activity of the targeted drug.