Histopathological Effect of Enalapril Maleate on Fetal Heart in Rat

Enalapril Maleate is an antihypertensive drug that reduces blood pressure by dilatation of blood vessels as well as diminishing systolic and diastoles blood pressure. We wanted to assess its histopathology effects on fetal heart in rat. In this survey twenty male and female Wistar rats were selected and matched together, after getting pregnant, they divided into two groups: control group (n = 10) and test group (n = 10). The test group was administered 0.4 mg kg-1, Enalapril maleate daily during pregnancy. Heart tissue of the neonates was provided for investigation throughout light microscopic observation (LM) in the first day of birth. Microscopic studies of the heart tissue slices in the test group revealed histopathological change in myocardial cells in comparison with the control group. Body weight of neonates in test group was reduced in comparison with control group (p<0.05). Since, in present study Enalapril maleate presented side effect on fetal heart development in rat, consequently it is suggested not to use this drug for human being during pregnancy.