Abstract: Aim To explore the effects of valsartan and benazepril on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).Methods 24 SHR were divided randomizedly into 4 groups of 6 rats each, among which three groups were fed with valsartan of 8 mg·kg^-1、of 24 mg·kg^-1and benazepril of 1 mg·kg^-1in NS per day for 4 weeks respectively, while the remained grouPand the other 6 Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY)were only given NS for equal time.Results The BPwas decreased markedly (P<0.05)in SHR fed with valsartan and benazepril.The decrease of BPwas more significant in SHR fed with 24 mg·kg^-1than in those fed with benazepril and the difference was statistically remarkable (P<0.01).The traverse diameter of myocyte (TDM) of the SHR treated with benazepril was lower than that in the controled groups.The TDM and heart weight/body w eight (HW/BW)of SHR treated with valsartan 24 mg·kg^-1was much lower than those in the benazepril and control groups.Conclusion Both benazepril and valsartan have effects of reversing LVH and decreasing BP.The effect of valsartan depends to some extent on the doses given, and the strength of the effect of decreasing BPand reversing LVH is not congruent.

Key words: spontaneously hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, valsartan, benazepril