690ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME IN EXPERIMENTAL PREECLAMPSIA IN RATSPreeclampsia (PE) is a life-threatening disorder of late pregnancy characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, as well as renal and placental morphologic abnormalities. Dysregulation of renin angiotensin system (RAS) has been considered to contribute to the disorder; however the pathogenic mechanisms of PE remain largely undefined. Using an experimental model of preeclampsia resulting from inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis with L-NAME administered to pregnant rats, we assessed some of the components of the renin angiotensin system. In pregnant rats L-NAME treatment reduced fetuses mean weight, while did not change their number. L-NAME increased mean arterial pressure and produced proteinuria, and this was associated with a significant decrease of plasma angiotensin converting enzyme activity, plasma renin levels and amniotic flu id aldosterone levels. These findings suggest that experimental preeclampsia is characterized by suppression of circulating reni n angiotensin system which could be responsible for imbalance between the vasoconstrictor and vasodilator systems, as well as some of the signs of preeclampsia similar to that in hypertensive pregnant womenastern88@gmail.comResearch6112015Preeclampsia,Angiotensin,Aldosterone,Angiotensin Converting EnzymeCamacho Elsa,Israel AnitaLaboratory of Neuropeptides. School of Pharmacy. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Caracas, Venezuela,Laboratory of Neuropeptides. School of Pharmacy. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Caracas, Venezuela