Objective    To observe the effects of angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ) and benazepril on gap junction connexin (Cx) 40 remodeling in atrium of suprarenal abdominal aorta ligated rats.    Methods    Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control group (C)

abdominal aorta ligated group (A)

abdominal aorta ligated rats treated with benazepril (B). Eight weeks later

Ang Ⅱin plasma and cardiac tissues was determined by RIA. The distribution of Cx40 was determined by immunohistochemistry and the levels of Cx40 in atrium were semi-quantitatively analyzed.    Results    The Ang Ⅱ levels in plasma and myocardium in group A were higher than those of group C (P0.01)

but those in group B showed no more changes than group C (P0.05). The levels of Cx40 in group A declined and the side to side distribution pattern increased. Cx40 levels in group B were significantly higher than group A (P0.01)

and its inhomogeneity of Cx40 distribution decreased.     Conclusion    The increase of Ang Ⅱlevel can induce the redistribution and protein expression reduction of Cx40 in atrium. Through lowering AngⅡ levels

benazepril can attenuate Cx40 remodeling effectively.