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Long-term administration of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induces development of hypertension and hypertrophy of the left ventricle in rats. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effect of chronic L-NAME treatment on DNA and RNA concentration, and protein synthesis in the rat heart, aorta, brain and kidney and to determine the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril on these potential alterations. Four groups of rats were investigated: control, L-NAME (40 mg kg-1 day-1), captopril (100 mg kg-1 day-1), and L-NAME (40 mg kg-1 day-1) + captopril (100 mg kg-1 day-1). NO synthase activity in the heart, aorta, brain and kidney was found to be decreased in the L-NAME group. In the group of rats treated with L-NAME + captopril, captopril did not affect NO synthase inhibition. Captopril, however, completely prevented development of hypertension and left ventricular …