Reduction of oxidative stress augments natriuretic effect of furosemide in moderate heart failure.
BACKGROUND: The significance of antioxidant therapy in heart failure has not been fully examined. This study evaluated whether vitamin C has beneficial effects on renal function or augments the renal effects of furosemide in patients with heart failure. METHODS: There were 2 protocols. In protocol 1, plasma level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and renal function were assessed before and after intravenous infusion of vitamin C or placebo in 8 patients with moderate congestive heart failure (CHF) treated with enalapril. In protocol 2, a randomized crossover study was performed in patients with moderate CHF treated with either an ACE inhibitor (enalapril) (n = 10) or an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (losartan) (n = 9) and in asymptomatic patients with impaired left ventricular function treated with enalapril (n = 8). TBARS and renal function were assessed before and after intravenous infusion of furosemide alone, coinfusion of furosemide with placebo and vitamin C, or coinfusion of furosemide with vitamin C and a kallikrein inhibitor (nafamostat mesilate). RESULTS: In protocol 1, although vitamin C reduced TBARS, it did not affect renal function. In protocol 2, TBARS was higher in patients with moderate CHF than in asymptomatic patients. Vitamin C augmented natriuretic effect of furosemide (from 179 +/- 98 to 192 +/- 104 micromol/min, P <.01) only in patients with moderate CHF treated with enalapril but not in the other 2 groups. Nafamostat mesilate prevented this augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CHF treated with enalapril, counteraction of the increased oxidative stress by vitamin C may contribute to the augmented natriuretic effect of furosemide through the renal kinin-nitric oxide pathway.